Exciting Finish Expected at Valspar Championship as Top Six Players Within Two Shots
The 2023 Valspar Championship is in full swing, with some of the biggest names in golf vying for position at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.[0] Adam Schenk currently leads with a two-over-par 69, one stroke ahead of the top four players, which include Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, and Cody Gribble.
Spieth, a previous winner of the Valspar, is the clear star of the group.[1] He opened his round with an eagle and led by as many as two shots during his round.[2] Spieth carded four bogeys on the back nine for five total, but five birdies helped negate the bogeys.[3] At the par-4 16th, Spieth hit his approach shot inside 5 feet from 163 yards out and knocked it in for his fifth birdie of the day.[4]
Fleetwood carded a 69 (-2) for the day, making two birdies and no bogeys.[5] On Saturday, it was only the third round without any bogeys.[0] He’s tied at 7 under with Spieth and will be in the final penultimate group with Simpson, who shot 3-under 68 on moving day.[0]
Brehm is also in contention, having gained a one-stroke lead over the field.[2] He won the Puerto Rico Open last year and has driven it nicely this week, ranking sixth in Strokes Gained: Putting.[6] It's the first lead for Brehm since he won the Puerto Rico Open last year in his final start.[7]
Spieth's approach numbers have been sound and if he is able to have a spike performance with his scoring clubs on Sunday, he could leapfrog Schenk – but only time will tell.[1] The top six players are all within two shots, promising an exciting finish for the Valspar Championship.
0. “Everything you need to know from Saturday at the Valspar Championship” Golfweek, 18 Mar. 2023, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/2023-valspar-championship-third-round-takeaways-jordan-spieth-tommy-fleetwood-adam-schenk/
1. “2023 Valspar Championship leaderboard: Jordan Spieth eyes first victory of season sitting one back of lead” msnNOW, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/golf/2023-valspar-championship-leaderboard-jordan-spieth-eyes-first-victory-of-season-sitting-one-back-of-lead/ar-AA18NLt0?li=BB15ms5q
2. “Adam Schenk holds one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood at Valspar Championship” Sky Sports, 19 Mar. 2023, https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/12837754/adam-schenk-holds-one-shot-lead-over-jordan-spieth-and-tommy-fleetwood-at-valspar-championship-going-into-final-round
3. “Adam Schenk maintains lead at Valspar Championship | Sports | kpvi.com” KPVI News 6, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.kpvi.com/sports/adam-schenk-maintains-lead-at-valspar-championship/article_cec05d54-17d9-580d-a420-2922d2ec0b64.html
4. “Highlights: Jordan Spieth comes out firing in Valspar third round” Golf Channel, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.golfchannel.com/news/highlights-jordan-spieth-comes-out-firing-valspar-third-round
5. “Can Jordan Spieth Snap This Crazy PGA Trend?” Pro Golf Now, 19 Mar. 2023, https://progolfnow.com/2023/03/18/jordan-spieth-snap-pga-trend/
6. “Valspar's Sunday forecast? It's about as predictable as the weather” PGA TOUR, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2023/03/18/valspar-s-sunday-forecast-it-is-about-as-predictable-as-the-weather
7. “Stephan Jaeger, Ryan Brehm, Adam Schenk share lead at Valspar Championship” PGA TOUR, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/daily-wrapup/2023/03/16/stephan-jaeger,-ryan-brehm,-adam-schenk-share-lead-at-valspar-championship
