Additional Coverage:
Im Holds Valspar Championship Lead Through Challenging Friday Conditions
PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Sungjae Im maintained his lead at the Valspar Championship on a blustery Friday afternoon, demonstrating resilience on the back nine to pull ahead of David Lipsky. The Copperhead course at Innisbrook presented firm and fast conditions, adding an extra layer of difficulty for competitors.
Im, who has been working his way back from a wrist injury and missed his last two cuts, carded a 2-under 69, bringing his total to 9-under 133. This places him a single stroke ahead of Lipsky. His strong performance follows a remarkable Thursday morning where he recorded two eagles en route to a 64, giving him an early one-shot advantage over Brandt Snedeker.
“The most important thing is that I can get my drives into the fairways,” the 27-year-old South Korean golfer stated through a translator. “If I do that, then I will be able to give myself good chances. There’s just a lot of danger out there on the course.”
Friday’s round saw Im navigate a front nine with three bogeys and two birdies, finishing with a 37. He then rallied on the back nine, sinking birdies on the par-5 11th and par-4 12th. He ultimately broke a tie for the lead with a crucial 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.
“I want to really focus and be patient because I have a chance this weekend,” Im added, anticipating further challenges. “This weekend, I think the winds are going to blow and the greens are going to get more firm.” Im is a two-time PGA Tour winner, with victories at the 2020 Honda Classic and the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
David Lipsky, still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, delivered an impressive 65, playing in the first group of the day. He started strong with birdies on the first two holes and four of the initial six, adding two more on holes 10 and 11 before parring the final seven.
“It was excellent. I did everything well,” Lipsky commented.
“Missed it in the right spots, holed the putts early on to get some momentum going. That finishing stretch is obviously tough, so able to save a couple pars down on 16 and 18 and really kept the round going.”
Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim are tied at 7-under. Blanchet finished with a 66, despite a closing bogey. Ghim posted a 67, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 11th, though he gave strokes back with bogeys on 15 and 16.
“Obviously, I wish I would have finished a little bit better,” Ghim said. “Two bad holes doesn’t really necessarily kind of ruin a good day.”
Brandt Snedeker, a 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain who received a sponsor exemption, shot a 72, dropping him to 5-under.
“The good thing is it’s playing really tough and tricky this afternoon,” Snedeker noted. “Try to take a positive from that.
Hung in there when things weren’t going great.”
Other notable players at 5-under include Jordan Smith (68), Matt Fitzpatrick (69), Marco Penge (68), and Alex Smalley (69). Fitzpatrick finished second last week at The Players Championship.
Brooks Koepka sits tied for 10th at 4-under after a 67 in his return to Innisbrook, narrowly missing a 3-foot birdie putt on his final hole. “Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Koepka stated. “Playing well, like the way I’m striking it.”
Defending champion Viktor Hovland missed the cut, carding rounds of 70 and 75.