Sungjae Im showed the resilience of a seasoned champion during a grinding third round at the Valspar Championship, maintaining his lead despite battling through one of his toughest days on the demanding Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort. The 27-year-old South Korean's 2-under 69 wasn't his most polished performance, but it was enough to preserve a two-stroke advantage heading into Sunday's final round.
Im's round was a testament to his ability to score when not at his best. After opening with a bogey on the first hole, he steadied himself with birdies at the 5th and 9th before the pivotal moment came at the 18th. Facing a tricky 13-footer for birdie, Im drained the putt to cap his round in style and maintain breathing room over the chasing pack. "My short game and the putter really saved me and kept me in it," Im admitted after his round, acknowledging the struggles he faced on greens that have become increasingly firm and fast as the tournament has progressed.
The two-time PGA TOUR winner is now positioned for what could be a career-defining victory. Im's previous wins came at the 2020 Honda Classic (now Cognizant Classic) and the 2021 Shriners Children's Open, but a wire-to-wire victory at a demanding venue like Innisbrook would represent a new level of achievement. His ball-striking has been exemplary all week, ranking among the tournament leaders in greens in regulation, though Saturday's putting statistics (he needed 30 putts) showed where his game briefly faltered.
Chasing Im is a fascinating mix of veterans and rising stars. Brandt Snedeker, the 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain playing on a sponsor exemption, continued his surprising run with a solid 68 to share second place at 10-under with David Lipsky. Snedeker's presence on the leaderboard has been one of the tournament's most compelling storylines, as the nine-time PGA TOUR winner hasn't tasted victory since the 2018 Wyndham Championship. "Nobody expects me to be here," Snedeker had said earlier in the week, but his trademark putting stroke and course management have kept him in contention.
Lipsky, the 35-year-old journeyman seeking his first PGA TOUR win, matched Snedeker's 68 to join him at 10-under. The former European Tour player has shown impressive consistency this week, particularly with his iron play, and could be a dangerous contender if he maintains his current form.
Just two shots further back at 8-under are Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge, both carding 68s on Saturday. Fitzpatrick, coming off a runner-up finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, is looking increasingly comfortable on American soil following his 2022 U.S. Open victory. The Englishman's precise game is well-suited to the Copperhead Course's tree-lined fairways and small greens. Penge, a 25-year-old Englishman making just his 12th PGA TOUR start, has been one of the tournament's biggest surprises and could become the latest first-time winner on tour.
The course conditions have played a significant role in shaping the tournament. The Copperhead Course has lived up to its reputation as one of the PGA TOUR's most challenging non-major venues, with firm fairways and fast greens making scoring difficult. The "Snake Pit" stretch of holes 16-18 has been particularly brutal, yielding few birdies all week. These conditions have created separation on the leaderboard, with only 10 players within five shots of Im's lead.
One notable name failing to mount a challenge is Brooks Koepka. The five-time major champion struggled to a 71 on Saturday, leaving him tied for 16th at 3-under, seven shots behind Im. Koepka's inability to capitalize on the par-5s (he played them in even par on Saturday) proved costly, and his putting woes continued with 31 putts in the third round.
As the tournament approaches its climax, all eyes will be on whether he can hold off the chasing pack. A victory would not only end his nearly three-year winless drought but also potentially move him back into the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking. For Snedeker, a win would be one of the more remarkable stories of the season, proving that veteran savvy can still compete in an era dominated by power hitters.
The final round promises high drama on a course that has historically produced exciting finishes. With the lead still within reach for several players and the Copperhead Course's reputation for late-round drama, Sunday's action could come down to who best handles the pressure of the Snake Pit's closing stretch. Im's ability to maintain his composure under fire will be tested as he seeks to convert his 54-hole lead into a third PGA TOUR victory.
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*Originally published on [golfnews.global](https://golfnews.global/article/im-maintains-lead-despite-tough-round-at-valspar-championship).*
