In a dramatic turn of events at the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, Viktor Hovland demonstrated remarkable consistency amidst Saturday’s unpredictable performances. He secured a spot in a three-way tie for the lead at Innisbrook Resort, with more than two dozen players still within striking distance just a day away from the tournament’s conclusion.
Narrowly trailing behind early on, Jacob Bridgeman managed to regain his footing on his first outing as the 36-hole leader, finishing the day with a commendable 1-under 70. Meanwhile, Nico Echavarria made a strong charge, posting a bogey-free 66 to also claim a share of the lead with Hovland. All three players are positioned at 7-under 206, with a host of other contenders lurking close behind.
Among those challengers is Justin Thomas, who initially feared he might not make it past Friday’s cut. However, with a remarkable 65—the lowest he’s ever recorded at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course—Thomas catapulted himself to just two shots off the lead. Jordan Spieth, always the entertainer, had a dynamic round, pulling off birdies from tricky positions within the woods and missing a couple of easy par putts. He ultimately carded a 67, placing him a mere four strokes away as Sunday’s drama unfolds with 23 players within a four-shot radius.
Byeong Hun An had a mixed day on the course. After climbing to 9-under with a birdie on the 11th, he faltered significantly, concluding with five bogeys over the final seven holes, leading to a round of 72. Nonetheless, he remains just three shots shy of the leaders entering the final day.
Hovland, keen on honing his swing, has shown remarkable patience and persistence as he collaborates with a coach to perfect his shot accuracy. “It’s thrilling to be in contention, even if it does make things a bit nerve-wracking when I’m not entirely confident over the ball,” Hovland remarked. “Still, there’s nothing like watching the putts sink and seeing the ball land close to the hole to round off some great scores.”
Colombian player Nico Echavarria, who achieved a victory in Japan last year marking his second PGA Tour win, ended his round well before his fellow competitors, finishing strong with birdies on all three par-3 holes on the back nine. Well aware of the course’s challenging nature, Echavarria expressed surprise at holding part of the lead but acknowledged the importance of sound strategy. “This course doesn’t necessarily require being in the lead to catch up. It demands precise ball driving and accuracy on the greens. We’ll certainly have an opportunity if we play well tomorrow.”
Second-year pro Bridgeman, despite starting the day on a shaky note by missing a 3-foot putt and conceding two consecutive bogeys to end the front nine, showcased resilience. He found his rhythm with a timely birdie on the 10th, helping maintain momentum for seven consecutive non-par holes. “I just focused and battled through,” Bridgeman reflected. “I wasn’t striking it well, but I stayed calm. A good drive from the fairway got me back on track.” Following that pivotal birdie, encouragement from his caddie helped maintain his pursuit for the top.
Earlier, long-time friends Thomas and Spieth, playing hours before the leaders, exchanged numerous birdie shots. The pivotal moment for Thomas came when he sank an eagle putt from nearly 30 feet on the par-5 11th, setting off a chain of birdies and leaving him briefly just a shot away from the lead. “It only takes a short run like that to ignite a promising week,” Thomas admitted, hopeful that it marks a turning point.
Not far from the top, Ricky Castillo’s 68 and several others like Shane Lowry, who carded a 70, join Thomas and additional competitors in the semi-crowded leaderboard’s top spots. With many seasoned and eager players closely chasing the leaders, the final round promises to deliver a tight and gripping finale. “The leaderboard is absolutely packed,” observed Jeremy Paul of Germany, who is in the group two shots off the lead after a round of 70. “A solid round could dramatically alter the final standings.”