Victor Hovland was stable in the middle of a wild Saturday of the Valsspar Championships, leaving him in a three-legged tie for the superiority in Innisbrook with two dozen players still in the mix.
Jacob Bridgeman showed many metals the first time as the leader of the 36 holes, dropping four strokes after the turn and gathering for one under 70 years to divide the lead with Hovland (69) and Nico Echavarria (66).
They were in seven-nine with everyone seemingly on their heels. This includes Justin Thomas, who left on Friday in the hope that he would make the cut. He shot 30 in the ninth rear for a 65, his lowest round ever in the copper course in the innisbrook, to finish two behind.
Jordan Spieth was entertaining like never before, twice making Birdie deep in the woods, and along with the loss of a short pair of hairs, and had to choose for a 67.
He was still only four blows after entering a Sunday in which 23 players were separated from four shots.
Byeong Hun an was the only player to reach the nine-nine with a bird in the 11th hole, just to make five Bogeys during the last seven holes for a 72.
“Funny fun to be in quarrel, but it’s a little more stressful when you don’t feel super comfortable for the ball,” Hovland said. “But man, it’s a pleasure to see some strokes go inside and see the ball end up near the hole and put some good results there.”
Echavarria, who won in Japan last fall for his second title PGA Tour, ended up a long way in front of the last bands and played without Bogey for his 66, making Birdie extremely large in the 3s in the nine back.
“This is a golf course where you don’t have to be one of the lead starting to take the leaders,” he said. “We’ve seen it’s a difficult golf course. You have to run your ball very well here. You have to hit the greens. It is hard about the greens. So we will have a chance tomorrow to have a good round.”
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Sam Ryder made the crowd go wild as he hit an epic hole in one in the 17th hole of the 204th
Ricky Castillo enjoyed a 68 and was a shot behind. Thomas and Shane Lowry (70) were among the five players in the five-nine, with one and Billy Horschel (69) in the large group another stroke after. Lucas Glover (69) was part of the spieth group in four.
“The leader is gathered. There are probably 25 boys – 30 boys maybe – who can still win this golf tour,” said Jeremy Paul, Germany, who shot 70 and was in group two shots. “Attempting to unite a good round together and see where you put me.”
Who will win the Valsspar championship? Look throughout the weekend directly on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or Broadcasting Without Contract Now.
