Sungjae Im Maintains Valspar Championship Lead for Third Consecutive Day
Sungjae Im sank a 13-foot putt on the final hole to shoot 2-under 69. The birdie extended his margin to two strokes after the third round Saturday at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Im’s position heading to Sunday
Im is 11-under 202 entering the final round. He is chasing his first PGA Tour victory since the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
He had gone nine holes without a birdie before his closing birdie. Im also saved par on No. 16 after a tee shot came to rest on a cart path.
After consecutive 69s, Sungjae Im has held the Valspar Championship lead for a third consecutive day. He said he expects some nerves, but plans to play his own game.
Closest challengers
Brandt Snedeker posted a bogey-free 67 to climb into a share of second place. He opened with three birdies on four holes and finished strong.
David Lipsky joined Snedeker after a 70 that included five birdies and four bogeys. Lipsky birdied No. 15 to join the lead, then bogeyed the next hole.
| Player | Score (To par) |
|---|---|
| Sungjae Im | 11-under (202) |
| Brandt Snedeker | 9-under |
| David Lipsky | 9-under |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 8-under |
| Marco Penge | 8-under |
| S.H. Kim | 6-under |
| Adrien Dumont de Chassart | 6-under |
| Brooks Koepka | 4-under |
Notable rounds and moves
Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge each shot 68 to share fourth place at 8 under. Fitzpatrick produced a three-hole birdie run from Nos. 10-12.
Penge overcame a double-bogey on No. 6. He played the back nine bogey-free to climb into contention.
S.H. Kim and Adrien Dumont de Chassart matched the day’s best round with 67s. They sit two shots behind Fitzpatrick and Penge.
Other contenders and miscues
Brooks Koepka was 3 under through eight holes. A 3-over back nine, including a double-bogey at No. 16, left him with a 71.
Koepka finished 4 under for the tournament and tied for 11th place. He cited driving struggles as costly during the round.
Other tour highlights
PGA Tour Champions — Cologuard Classic
Padraig Harrington shot 6-under 65 Saturday at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson. He tied Thongchai Jaidee atop the leaderboard at 11 under.
Harrington produced two eagles in a three-hole span, plus a birdie. He finished with two eagles, five birdies and three bogeys.
LPGA Tour — Fortinet Founders Cup
Hyo Joo Kim fired a 6-under 66 to extend her lead to five strokes. The event is at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club in Menlo Park, Calif.
Kim is 17-under 199 after three rounds. Nelly Korda matched Kim’s 66 and stands five shots back at 12 under.
Report compiled for Filmogaz.com from tournament coverage and round summaries.
