Sungjae Im takes lead into the
weekend on the firm and fast Copperhead course
[March 21, 2026]
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Sungjae Im held onto the lead on a
breezy Friday afternoon in the Valspar Championship, rallying on the
back nine to edge ahead of David Lipsky in firm and fast conditions
on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.
After missing two straight cuts in his return from a wrist injury,
Im shot a 2-under 69 to get to 9-under 133 — a stroke ahead of
Lipsky. On Thursday morning, Im had two eagles in a 64 for a
one-shot advantage over Brandt Snedeker.
“The important thing, well, the most important thing is that I can
get my drives into the fairways,” the 27-year-old South Korean
player said 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.”
On Friday, Im had three bogeys and two birdies in a front-nine 37,
then birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 12th. He broke a tie for the
lead with a 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 said. “This weekend, I think the winds are going to
blow and the greens are going to get more firm.”
He has two PGA Tour victories, the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021
Shriners Children’s Open.
Lipsky had a 65, playing in the first group of the day off the first
tee. Winless on PGA Tour, he birdied the first two holes and four of
the the first six, added two more on 10 and 11 and parred the final
seven.
“It was excellent. I did everything well,” Lipsky said. “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.”
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Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim were 7 under.
Blanchet closed with a bogey for a 66. Ghim shot 67, making an eagle
on the par-5 11th, then giving back the strokes 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.”
Snedeker had a 72 to drop 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 said. “Try to take a positive from that. Hung
in there when things weren’t going great.”
Jordan Smith (68) also was 5 under with Matt Fitzpatrick (69), Marco
Penge (68) and Alex Smalley (69).
“I definitely hit it better yesterday and putted better today,”
Spieth said. “So, just try to put them both together on the
weekend.”
Fitzpatrick was second last week in 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. “Playing well, like
the way I’m striking it.”
Defending champion Viktor Hovland missed the cut with rounds of 70
and 75.
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