Sungjae Im Leads Valspar After Opening 64

Sungjae Im returned to form with a 64 in the opening round of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook's Copperhead course, posting seven under and holding a one-shot lead over Brandt Snedeker. Im, coming off two missed cuts while rehabbing a wrist injury, made two eagles — holing an 18-foot putt on the par‑five 11th and a 35‑foot eagle on the par‑five first after the turn — and was checked only by two bogeys over his final four holes.

Snedeker, playing on a sponsor exemption and noted as USA captain for the Presidents Cup, carded a bogey-free 65, his first bogey-less round at Innisbrook in 14 years. He ran off three straight birdies to open the back nine and credited a steady strategy and strong putting for the start.

Davis Thompson is alone in third at five under after a 66. Pierceson Coody, Andrew Putnam and Billy Horschel shot 67s to sit four under; Horschel, who missed The Players Championship last week, faces growing urgency to win or move inside the top 50 to secure a spot in next month’s Masters.

A trio at three under included Matt Fitzpatrick, the recent runner-up at The Players, Xander Schauffele and Jacob Bridgeman, each posting bogey-free 68s. Corey Conners fired a 69 highlighted by back-to-back eagles around the turn, holing at the 18th and then the first. Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth also finished at 69 after a hot front nine — at one stage five under — before missed short putts and a double bogey at the 16th in the Snake Pit slowed him.

Defending champion Viktor Hovland recovered from two over through six to salvage a one-under 70, while Brooks Koepka shot even-par 71.

The day also featured an odd moment when playing partners Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Isaiah Salinda putted simultaneously and their balls collided, a rare sight that left commentators surprised.

Round two of the Valspar Championship airs live on Sky Sports Golf from 11:30 a.m. Friday, with streaming options available for viewers without a Sky subscription.