Sungjae Im holds a one-stroke advantage heading into the weekend at the Valspar Championship.
PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Sungjae Im maintained his lead on Friday afternoon at the Valspar Championship, making a comeback on the back nine to pull ahead of David Lipsky in the firm and fast conditions of the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.
Following two consecutive missed cuts in his comeback from a wrist injury, Im recorded a 2-under 69, bringing his total to 9-under 133, one stroke in front of Lipsky. On Thursday morning, Im achieved two eagles in a round of 64, giving him a one-shot lead over Brandt Snedeker.
On Friday, Im recorded three bogeys and two birdies for a front-nine score of 37, then birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 12th. He took the lead with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.
The 27-year-old South Korean golfer has two victories on the PGA Tour, having won the 2020 Honda Classic and the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
Lipsky finished with a 65, playing in the first group of the day from the first tee. Still seeking his first PGA Tour win, he birdied the first two holes and four of the first six, added two more on 10 and 11, and parred the last seven holes.
“It was excellent. I did everything well,” Lipsky stated. “I missed it in the right spots, holed the putts early on to gain some momentum. That finishing stretch is certainly challenging, so being able to save a couple of pars on 16 and 18 really kept the round going.”
Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim were both at 7 under. Blanchet finished with a bogey for a 66. Ghim shot a 67, making an eagle on the par-5 11th but lost strokes with bogeys on 15 and 16.
“Obviously, I wish I would have finished a little bit better,” Ghim remarked. “Two bad holes don’t necessarily ruin a good day.”
Snedeker posted a 72, dropping to 5 under. The 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain received a sponsor exemption.
“The good thing is it’s playing really tough and tricky this afternoon,” Snedeker noted. “I try to take a positive from that. I hung in there when things weren’t going well.”
Jordan Smith (68) was also at 5 under, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick (69), Marco Penge (68), and Alex Smalley (69).
“I definitely hit it better yesterday and putted better today,” Spieth commented. “So, just trying to combine both aspects over the weekend.”
Fitzpatrick finished second last week at The Players Championship.
Brooks Koepka was tied for 10th at 4 under after a 67 in his return to Innisbrook. He missed a 3-foot birdie putt on his final hole.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Koepka said. “I’m playing well and like the way I’m striking it.”
Defending champion Viktor Hovland missed the cut with rounds of 70 and 75.
