Adam Schenk Leads Valspar Championship After Day Two; Ryan Brehm Nails Hole-in-One
On Friday, Adam Schenk had a score of 2-under-par 69 during the second round of the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla., giving him a single-stroke lead after 36 holes.[0] He sits at 7-under 135, ahead of Kramer Hickok (68 on Friday) by a stroke, while Jordan Spieth (70), Cody Gribble (65), Davis Riley (68) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (69) are two back at 5 under.
Ryan Brehm made the highlight of the day on the par-3 17th hole, knocking in a hole-in-one.[1] Brehm said he was surprised when he saw it go in the hole, and the reaction of the crowd was great.[2] Brehm is hunting for the first PGA Tour victory of his career, and his ace gave him a share of the lead with Adam Schenk and Stephan Jaeger at 5-under.
Even par, Sam Burns finds himself on the fringes of contention.[3] He is attempting to become the first player since Steve Stricker to win a tournament three years in a row; he came to Innisbrook as the two-time defending champion.[3] He has been searching for a new driver since his old one was deemed illegal earlier this season, and he seems to have found a suitable replacement, which was evident at the Copperhead Course.[3]
Jordan Spieth is also in contention at 5-under.[4] He won the Valspar in 2015 and is looking to recapture that success.[0] He commented on Sam Burns, saying, “When you're playing with Sam, you kind of know what the standard is out here, so … if you beat him, you probably beat everybody else based on the last couple years. So it's fun to watch him kind of work shots around this place, especially roll it on these greens.”[5]
The Valspar Championship continues through the weekend, with the field looking to compete for the title.
0. “Adam Schenk takes lead at Valspar Championship | Sports | hastingstribune.com” Hastings Tribune, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.hastingstribune.com/sports/adam-schenk-takes-lead-at-valspar-championship/article_1a1a3876-6d81-5b70-89a4-08399d91750b.html
1. “Ryan Brehm makes hole-in-one and shares lead with Stephan Jaeger and Adam Schenk at Valspar Championship” Sky Sports, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12835865/ryan-brehm-makes-hole-in-one-and-shares-lead-with-stephan-jaeger-and-adam-schenk-at-valspar-championship
2. “Jordan Spieth opens with 4-under 67 after making nearly 150 feet of putts” Golf Channel, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.golfchannel.com/news/jordan-spieth-opens-4-under-67-after-making-nearly-150-feet-putts
3. “2023 Valspar Championship leaderboard: Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas in the mix entering Moving Day” CBS Sports, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2023-valspar-championship-leaderboard-jordan-spieth-justin-thomas-in-the-mix-entering-moving-day/
4. “The Punter's In-Play Blog: Spieth the early jolly at Copperhead” Betting.betfair, 17 Mar. 2023, https://betting.betfair.com/golf/the-punter/the-punters-in-play-blog-spieth-the-early-jolly-at-copperhead-170323-167.html
5. “Jordan Spieth looking for resurgence at Valspar Championship” Tampa Bay Times, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2023/03/16/jordan-spieth-looking-resurgence-valspar-championship
