MADISON, Wis. (June 6, 2026) – There is a new leader after two rounds at the American Family Insurance Championship.
Defending champion Darren Clarke and new partner Ben Crane surged up the leaderboard Saturday with a tournament record 17-under 54, moving to 26 under overall heading into Sunday’s final round at TPC Wisconsin.
It was a day to remember for the duo. Crane led the way with 11 birdies and caught fire late, rolling in seven straight to close the round as the team piled up 17 birdies in the scramble format.
“When you shoot 54, that’s pretty impressive. I’ve never done that before. It was wonderful,” Clarke said. “We got on a roll and we played it really well. I just stood back and let him read the putts and do what he had to do on the back nine there and he just poured everything in, which was, as his partner, wonderful.”
“We just had a great time relationally,” said Crane. “The golf’s going incredible and we just had a lot of fun. His game is so consistent and he flights his wedges in there so well, it really gave us a lot of opportunities today.”
The tournament concludes on Sunday with best ball.
Cameron Percy and Greg Chalmers sit three shots back in second at 23-under after a 13-under 58 in the second round.
Three teams are tied for third at 22 under. Alex Cejka and Tim O’Neal made the biggest move, climbing nine spots with a 14-under 57. Jason Caron and Brett Quigley posted a 13-under 58, while Rory Sabbatini and Brian Gay shot 11 under 60.
Day one leaders Freddie Jacobsen and Søren Kjeldsen slid to a tie for sixth at 21 under, finishing 9-under 62 on the day.
Tournament host and 2023 champion Steve Stricker and teammate Mario Tiziani shot 10-under 61 and are tied for 25th at 16 under overall.
Madison native and two-time winner Jerry Kelly and partner Justin Leonard carded 11-under 60 and are tied for 29th at 15 under overall.
The final round begins at 8:55 a.m. CST Sunday.
Other second round notes
- Clarke, the 57-year-old American Family Insurance Championship defending co-champion, seeks his sixth win on PGA TOUR Champions (160th start).
- Clarke looks to become the second two-time winner of the American Family Insurance Championship, joining Jerry Kelly (2019, 2021).
- Crane, the 50-year-old rookie, seeks his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (eighth start). This is Crane’s first time leading or co-leading heading into the final round on PGA TOUR Champions.
Celebrities help raise $25,000 for charity
The American Family Insurance Championship Celebrity Foursome Hosted by Andy North returned Saturday to raise money for charity. Joining North this year were Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame members Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson, along with two-time Olympian and standout ice hockey defenseman Caroline “KK” Harvey.
North and Harvey won the friendly competition, and a $25,000 donation will be made in their names to American Family Children’s Hospital from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation.
Additional notes and information
Media contacts:
Janet Masters and Brandon Harrison
608-438-4317 / 608-719-8104
[email protected] / [email protected]
