Keith Mitchell has claimed a share of the lead at the Valspar Championship following a tough opening round at the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort. Despite facing strong winds and an afternoon rain shower, Mitchell managed a four-under 67 and is now tied for first with four other players, including Stephan Jaeger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo, and Sami Valimaki.
The gusty winds, which reached speeds of up to 30 mph, combined with the challenging course conditions, made for a difficult test on Thursday. However, Mitchell, who was in excellent form for most of the day, had a rollercoaster finish, dropping two shots late in his round. After reaching six-under, he found himself in the fairway on the par-five fifth hole just 90 yards from the green but could only manage a bogey on his way to a 67.
While Mitchell expressed some disappointment with his late bogeys, he was ultimately pleased with his performance. He acknowledged that the tough conditions made mistakes inevitable but was still optimistic about his position. “It’s crazy to say you left some out there when it’s windy,” Mitchell said after his round. “You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to hit shots you wish you could have over or putts you wish you could have again. But I’m feeling good, and I’ll take the round.”
Mitchell’s round was a mixture of highs and lows. His 17th hole, the par-three eighth, presented him with a birdie chance from just inside 50 feet, but he came up short and three-putted for a bogey. On the final hole, Mitchell was forced into the right rough by the wind, and after missing his approach shot, he finished with another bogey. Nonetheless, the 67 put him in good company atop the leaderboard with Jaeger, Bridgeman, Castillo, and Valimaki, all of whom also shot four-under rounds.
English Contingent Close Behind
England’s Harry Hall finished tied for ninth at two-under, showing steady play in the difficult conditions. He was joined in that tie by 13 other players, all posting rounds of 68. Matt Wallace finished at one-under, while Danny Willett shot an even-par 71. Tommy Fleetwood, one of the more recognizable names in the field, struggled to find his rhythm and ended the day at one-over par.
Schauffele and Thomas in Contention
Xander Schauffele, who had been away from the game for two months due to a rib injury, showed signs of improvement in his third tournament back, posting a 70 in the opening round. The world No. 3 dropped several shots, like many others, but he remains within striking distance going into the second round. Schauffele’s performance continues to show progress after his injury, and he will be looking to improve as the tournament progresses.
Justin Thomas, on the other hand, struggled during his round. The former world No. 1 carded a 73 after a challenging front nine, which included a score of 40. He showed resilience by playing a bogey-free back nine, but it was not enough to break into contention on Thursday. Thomas will need a strong second round to make a move up the leaderboard.
Spieth Looking for a Turnaround
Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth also faced challenges during his round. Spieth, who won the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in 2015, posted a 74 after a difficult day that saw him hit only two fairways through the first 13 holes. His struggles included a three-putt bogey on the 17th hole but a timely birdie on the 18th to finish with a better score. Spieth will look to improve in the second round and challenge for another top finish at Innisbrook.
Jaeger and Bridgeman’s Strong Finishes
Jaeger, the defending champion of next week’s Houston Open, finished with a flourish on Thursday. The German golfer birdied his last two holes to secure his spot at the top of the leaderboard. Bridgeman also made a strong recovery, coming back from a bogey-bogey start to card a 67, including an eagle on the par-five first hole and a solid front nine performance.
Theegala’s Rollercoaster Round
Sahith Theegala’s round was a mix of brilliance and frustration. The American started strong with five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine but faltered late, making a pair of three-putt bogeys, one of them from 18 feet on No. 17 and the other from about 60 feet on No. 18. Despite the late setbacks, Theegala managed to finish at four-under with a 69, just behind the leaders.
Looking Ahead to the Second Round
As the Valspar Championship heads into the second round, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, with many players still in contention. Mitchell’s share of the lead shows that anyone could emerge as the winner with a strong performance over the next three days. With several prominent players like Schauffele and Thomas still in the hunt, the tournament promises to deliver exciting action.
The second round will be available live on Friday starting at 11:30 a.m., and fans will be watching closely to see who can make a move and take control of the tournament. With the Copperhead course proving to be one of the most challenging on the PGA Tour, it’s clear that any player at the top of the leaderboard will have to navigate difficult conditions to claim the victory.
