PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Sungjae Im rallied on the back nine Friday to maintain his lead at the Valspar Championship, posting a 2-under 69 that puts him at 9-under 133 through two rounds on Innisbrook’s challenging Copperhead course.
Im holds a one-stroke advantage over David Lipsky heading into the weekend, a positive sign for the 27-year-old South Korean who had missed two straight cuts while recovering from a wrist injury. His opening-round 64 featured two eagles and gave him early control of the tournament.
“The most important thing is that I can get my drives into the fairways,” Im 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.”
Friday’s round tested Im’s resilience. He struggled through a front-nine 37 with three bogeys and two birdies before finding his rhythm after the turn. Back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12 steadied his round, and a clutch 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th pushed him back in front.
“I want to really focus and be patient because I have a chance this weekend,” Im said. “I think the winds are going to blow and the greens are going to get more firm.”
Im’s looking for his third PGA Tour victory, having previously won the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
Lipsky surged into contention with a morning 65, taking advantage of slightly calmer conditions. Playing in the first group off the first tee, he birdied four of his first six holes and added two more on 10 and 11 before parring his way home.
“It was excellent. I did everything well,” said Lipsky, who’s still seeking his first PGA Tour win. “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 sit tied for third at 7 under. Blanchet shot 66 despite a closing bogey, while Ghim posted a 67 that included an eagle on the par-5 11th before consecutive bogeys on 15 and 16 stalled his momentum.
“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.”
First-round contender Brandt Snedeker struggled to a 72, dropping him to 5 under. The 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain, playing on a sponsor exemption, remains optimistic.
“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.”
Also at 5 under are Jordan Smith (68), 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 is looking to build on his runner-up finish at last week’s Players Championship.
Brooks Koepka sits tied for 10th at 4 under after a solid 67, though 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 won’t be around for the weekend after posting rounds of 70 and 75 to miss the cut.
