Sungjae Im retains Valspar lead, with several heavy hitters in contention
Midway through the PGA’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course, the leaderboard is as clogged as ever. It almost feels like any of the 74 players who made the 1-over cut could fight back into contention.
Brooks Koepka finishes Day 2 of the Valspar Championship on Friday at Innisbrook five shots back of leader Sungjae Im. Midway through the PGA’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course, the leaderboard is as clogged as ever. It almost feels like any of the 74 players who made the 1-over cut could fight back into contention.
For starters, the 36-hole leaders, Sungjae Im (69 on Friday, 9-under 133 overall) and David Lipsky (65 Friday, 8 under total), haven’t been too intimidating in recent years, a feeling reflected in their 82nd and 154th world rankings. Another shot back were a couple more guys who haven’t struck too much fear into hearts, Doug Ghim (67 Friday) and Chandler Blanchet (66), who are 181st and 105th in the world. Then the leaderboard names start getting more threatening.
At 5 under with four others sat world No. 15 and 2022 U. S.
Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick, who shot 2-under 69 on Friday. Six players were at 4 under, including three heavy hitters — five-time major champion Brooks Koepka (who got hot on Friday’s back nine to finish with a 67), world No. 40 Corey Conners (69) and FedEx cup leader Jacob Bridgeman (70).