Sungjae Im Leads Through Challenging Copperhead Course into Weekend
PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Sungjae Im held the 36-hole lead Friday at the Valspar Championship. He rallied on the back nine at the challenging Copperhead Course to edge David Lipsky into the weekend.
Im shot a 2-under 69 on Friday. That moved him to 9-under 133, one stroke ahead of Lipsky.
Im’s round and recent form
Im began the tournament with a 64 on Thursday. That round included two eagles and gave him an early advantage over Brandt Snedeker.
On Friday he opened with a front-nine 37, with three bogeys and two birdies. He birdied the par-5 11th and the par-4 12th, then sank a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th to regain the lead.
The 27-year-old South Korean missed two straight cuts while returning from a wrist injury. He has two PGA TOUR wins: the 2020 Cognizant Classic and the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
Who is chasing
- David Lipsky shot a 65 to reach 8-under. He birdied four of the first six holes.
- Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim stood at 7-under. Blanchet finished with a bogey for a 66.
- Ghim carded a 67. He eagled the par-5 11th but bogeyed 15 and 16.
- Brandt Snedeker shot 72 and fell to 5-under. The 45-year-old received a sponsor exemption.
- Jordan Smith (68) joined Snedeker at 5-under. Matt Fitzpatrick (69), Marco Penge (68) and Alex Smalley (69) were also in that group.
- Jordan Spieth was 3-under after a 70. Brooks Koepka was 4-under after a 67 and tied for 10th.
- Defending champion Viktor Hovland failed to make the cut with rounds of 70 and 75.
Notable details
Lipsky began his round early and parred the final seven holes after a hot start. He remains without a PGA TOUR victory.
Fitzpatrick entered the week fresh off a runner-up finish at THE PLAYERS Championship. Several contenders cited firm and fast conditions at Innisbrook.
This report is from Filmogaz.com and reflects play through Friday, March 19, 2026. The weekend field will contend with the Copperhead Course as leaders try to hold or improve their positions.
