PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — Im Sung-jae held on to his lead Friday afternoon at the Valspar Championship, rallying on the back nine to outscore David Lipsky in firm, fast conditions at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course.
Lim, who missed consecutive cuts after returning from a wrist injury, shot a 2-under 69 to reach 9-under 133, one stroke ahead of Lipsky.
On Thursday morning, Im shot a 64 for two eagles and was one stroke behind Brandt Snedeker. On Friday, Im posted a 37 on the front nine with three bogeys and two birdies, then birdied the par-5 11th and par-4 12th. He broke his tie for the lead with a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.
The 27-year-old Korean has two wins on the PGA Tour, the 2020 Honda Classic and the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
Lipsky played in the first group off the first tee of the day and shot a 65. He was winless on the PGA Tour, but birdied his first two holes and four of his first six, added two more at Nos. 10 and 11, and made par on his final seven holes.
“It was great. Everything went well,” Lipsky said. “I missed in the right spots and holed some putts early to gain some momentum. The final straight was obviously tough, so I was able to save a couple of pars on the 16th and 18th and really keep the round going.”
Chandler Blanchett and Doug Jim were 7 under. Blanchett finished with a bogey 66. Ghim shot a 67 for eagle on the par-5 11th, but returned the stroke with bogeys on the 15th and 16th.
“Obviously I would have liked to have finished a little better,” Ghim said. “Two bad holes don’t necessarily ruin a good day.”
Snedeker dropped to 5 under with a 72. The 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain received a sponsor exemption.
“The good thing is it was a really tough, tricky play this afternoon,” Snedeker said. “Try to look at it as a positive. When things didn’t go well, we persevered there.”
Jordan Smith, 68, also had four birdies in his first six holes to improve to 5 under until he was 1 over on the back nine.
“I definitely hit better yesterday and putted better today,” Spieth said. “So try combining both on the weekend.”
Matt Fitzpatrick, 6, finished second at The Players Championship last week.
Brooks Koepka returned to Innisbrook and shot a 67 to tie for 10th place at 4 under. He missed a 3-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
“We just keep doing what we’re doing,” Koepka said. “He’s playing well, including the way he hits.”
Defending champion Viktor Hovland was eliminated in rounds of 70 and 75.
