PALM HARBOR, Fla. — In a tournament where most PGA Tour professionals have focused on driving accuracy to conquer the demanding Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, Brandt Snedeker is rewriting the script with a vintage performance that has him in position for his first victory since 2018. The 45-year-old's third-round 67, highlighted by his trademark short game magic, has positioned him just two strokes behind 54-hole leader Sungjae Im entering Sunday's final round of the Valspar Championship.
Snedeker's approach this week runs counter to conventional wisdom at a venue known for its tree-lined fairways and penal rough. While younger players like Im and Justin Thomas have emphasized finding fairways, the veteran has leaned into his strengths, particularly his world-class putting. "The only thing I really care about when I'm putting is inside 6 feet," said Snedeker, whose putting stroke has been one of the most reliable on Tour throughout his 18-year career. "If I make my putts inside six feet, I'm going to have a good day."
The Tennessee native demonstrated that philosophy perfectly on Saturday, beginning his round with three consecutive birdies, including impressive conversions from 16 and 17 feet. His hot start erased a four-shot deficit almost immediately, setting the tone for a bogey-free round that saw him gain strokes on the field despite less-than-perfect ball-striking. Snedeker hit just eight of 13 fairways and only seven greens in regulation, yet still posted the day's best Strokes Gained: Total thanks to his scrambling prowess.
Perhaps most impressively, Snedeker navigated the Copperhead Course's infamous "Snake Pit" — the treacherous three-hole stretch from 16 through 18 that has derailed many contenders — without dropping a shot. His par save at the 18th, where he got up-and-down from a difficult position, preserved momentum heading into Sunday's final pairing.
The performance marks a potential career resurgence for Snedeker, whose last victory came at the 2018 Wyndham Championship. That win was the ninth of his PGA Tour career, which includes a FedEx Cup championship in 2012 and multiple Ryder Cup appearances. Since then, injuries and inconsistent form have seen him slip to 296th in the world rankings while taking on new responsibilities as the 2026 U.S. Presidents Cup captain.
"And nobody expects me to be here, to be honest with you, at 45. Nobody expects me to win tomorrow," Snedeker admitted with characteristic candor. "So I'm going to have the most fun trying to prove people wrong and prove probably myself wrong that I can still do it." His self-deprecating humor belies a fierce competitor who has thrived in pressure situations throughout his career, including his memorable final-round 64 to win the 2012 Tour Championship and claim the FedEx Cup.
Snedeker's challenge on Sunday will be overcoming the steady play of Sungjae Im, who has been a model of consistency this week. The 25-year-old South Korean has held or shared the lead after each round, showing the form that made him a two-time Tour winner. However, the Copperhead Course's demanding finish often rewards experience, and Snedeker's ability to handle pressure could prove decisive.
The veteran's resurgence comes at an intriguing time in golf's generational shift. While much attention has focused on young stars like Im, Scottie Scheffler, and Viktor Hovland, Snedeker's performance serves as a reminder of the staying power of elite short game skills. His 67 matched the day's low round, achieved despite ranking 65th in driving accuracy and 68th in greens hit among the 76 players who made the cut.
Should Snedeker complete the comeback on Sunday, it would mark one of the more unexpected victories in recent PGA Tour history. At 45 years and 5 months old, he would become the oldest winner of the Valspar Championship, surpassing Paul Casey's 2021 victory at age 43. It would also continue a trend of veteran success at Innisbrook, where past champions include Retief Goosen (age 40) and Jim Furyk (age 49 in his runner-up finish).
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on whether Snedeker's putter can stay hot enough to overcome both the course's challenges and a leaderboard filled with younger, higher-ranked players. His performance this week has already exceeded expectations, but the competitor in him clearly believes there's more to achieve. "I've won out here before," Snedeker said after his round. "I know what it takes on Sunday." That experience, combined with his current form, makes him one of the most compelling stories heading into the tournament's decisive day.
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*Originally published on [golfnews.global](https://golfnews.global/article/snedeker-defies-expectations-contends-for-first-win-since-2018).*
