A 5-under-par 67 in Maryland gave Percy a one-shot margin over South Africa’s Keith Horne as he attempts to win his first over-50s major.

Percy revealed post-round that his physiotherapist had advised him to rest pre-tournament, restricting his preparation to a full course walk around Congressional with his caddie, and playing nine holes in the rain on Wednesday.

“On Sunday, it was so wet and I slipped on a rock and made a mess of myself,” the Victorian said.

“I've been in the physio Monday, Tuesday for a good hour, hour-and-a-half and then yesterday for another hour. I'm pretty sore right now.

“I didn't have a practice round, so I was still trying to work out where to go on the course and that, so it was pretty tricky.

“In the weather we had today, I'm pretty happy with a 5-under. It was nasty out there for a while.”

PLUS...

The Thing About Golf Podcast #70 – Cameron Percy

He’s not a household name or a prolific tournament winner but at the age of 48 Cameron Percy continues to achieve something most never do: keep his card on the most competitive Tour in the world.

Percy’s bogey-free round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 sixth, his 15th hole of the day, where his 4-iron approach finished inside a metre from the cup.

He then moved past Horne into the outright lead with a birdie at the par-4 eighth.

Percy admitted post-round it was the remarkable start by his playing partner, Denmark’s Soren Keldsen, that had helped him to his lead.

“I was really just trying to keep up with Soren. He started incredible,” Percy said.

“He started eagle-birdie-birdie, and could have birdied a few more holes.

“He sort of dragged me along to start with. He was playing so nicely, it definitely helped.

”The next best Australians are Stuart Appleby and Scott Hend, who are in a big group tied for seventh at 2-under-par.

Appleby, who had five birdies in his round, was 3-under before he dropped a shot at the closing hole, while Hend picked up four birdies mixed in with two bogeys on the back nine.

PLUS...

Cleary: PGA's a bludger of a major, and two-time major champion can't change my mind

Many people agree that holding three of four major championships in the United States, particularly one that invites 20 club professionals from that country, should not be a thing in these globalised times. One two-time major champion and legend of Australian golf does not agree, however.

Australasian scores
1 Cameron Percy 67
T7 Stuart Appleby 70
T7 Scott Hend 70
T24 Brendan Jones 71
T24 Richard Green 71
T24 Mark Hensby 71
T35 David Bransdon 72
T35 Rod Pampling 72
T35 Mick Smith 72
T48 Andre Stolz 73
T71 Michael Wright 75
T71 Steven Alker 75
T107 Michael Campbell 77

The Senior PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, starting at 3am on Friday and Saturday and 5am Sunday and Monday.

Australasians in the field

Steven Alker (NZ)
Previous appearances: 2 (2022-2023)
Best finish: 1st (2022)
Last start: T5 in 2023
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 9
Best finish in a senior major: Won, 2022 Senior PGA

Stuart Appleby
Previous appearances: 3 (2022-2024)
Best finish: T14 (2024)
Last start: T14 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T3, 2022 Regions Tradition

David Bransdon
Previous appearances: 1 (2024)
Best finish: MC (2024)
Last start: MC in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T38, 2025 Regions Tradition

Michael Campbell (NZ)
Previous appearances: 3 (2019, 2022-2023)
Best finish: T55 (2022)
Last start: MC in 2023
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T41, 2023 Senior Open

Richard Green
Previous appearances: 3 (2022-2024)
Best finish: 2nd (2024)
Last start: 2nd in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: 2nd, 2024 Senior PGA and 2024 Senior Open

Scott Hend
Previous appearances: 1 (2024)
Best finish: T4 (2024)
Last start: T4 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T4, 2024 Senior PGA

Mark Hensby
Previous appearances: 3 (2022-2024)
Best finish: T8 (2022)
Last start: T67 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 1
Best finish in a senior major: 3rd, 2022 US Senior Open

Brendan Jones
Previous appearances: 0
Best finish: N/A
Last start: N/A
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: First start

Rod Pampling
Previous appearances: 4 (2021-2024)
Best finish: T20 (2021)
Last start: MC in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 2
Best finish in a senior major: T3, 2022 Regions Tradition

Cameron Percy
Previous appearances: 1 (2024)
Best finish: T21 (2024)
Last start: T21 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T11, 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship

Mick Smith
Previous appearances: 1 (2024)
Best finish: T75 (2024)
Last start: T75 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T75, 2024 Senior PGA

Andre Stolz
Previous appearances: 1 (2023)
Best finish: MC (2023)
Last start: MC in 2023
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: MC, 2023 Senior PGA

Michael Wright
Previous appearances: 1 (2024)
Best finish: T17 (2024)
Last start: T17 in 2024
PGA TOUR Champions wins: 0
Best finish in a senior major: T7, 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship