Im Sung-jae
Im Sung-jae started his chase for a third PGA Tour victory, by taking the solo lead after the opening round at the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club – Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida.
The 28-year-old, opened with a 7-under 64 to set the early lead by one stroke over veteran Brandt Snedeker. Davis Thompson, Billy Horschel, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jacob Bridgeman and Xander Schauffele all sit inside the top 10 heading into Friday.
Sung-Jae recorded two eagles, six birdies, and three bogeys. He began with a birdie on the first hole and showcased sharp shot-making with two eagles on the par-5 11th and par-5 1st holes. Leading by as much as nine strokes at one stage, he lost pace after two bogeys in the final four holes.
The Korean started his season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month after recovering from a wrist injury. He had missed the cut there as well as the subsequent Players Championship.
He joins Corey Conners as the only players in the field with two eagles in the opening round
Sung-Jae’s last PGA Tour win was at the Shriners Children’s Open in October 2021, and had finished tied fourth at the Valspar Championships in his debut in 2019.
Nine-time Tour winner Snedeker, making his 14th tournament appearance, opened with bogey-free 6-under 65 to trail Sung-jae by a stroke. His best opening-round score at the championship sees him in a good position for his first cut in five starts this season.
Davis Thompson is a further stroke behind with his 66 first round, highlighted by an eagle on the par 5 11th.
Billy Horschel, Pierceson Coody and Andrew Putnamare tied fourth at four-under after carding identical rounds of 67.
2015 Valspar Championship winner Jordan Spieth is tied-17th at two-under and made an eagle on his opening hole (No. 1) for the second time in his career on Tour and at the championships. He is tied with 18-year-old Blades Brown, who also shot a 69 round and Conners.
Conners cards consecutive eagles on Nos. 18 and 1 to become the first player on record to make back-to-back eagles at Innisbrook Resort.
FedExCup leader Jacob Bridgeman is T7/-3 while World No. 7 Xander Schauffele is the highest-ranked player in the field at T7/-3.
Defending champion Viktor Hovland is T37/-1 while five-time major championship winner Brooks Koepka is further back at T47/E.
First-Round Leaderboard
| Pos. | Player | R1 |
| 1 | Sungjae Im | 64 (-7) |
| 2 | Brandt Snedeker | 65 (-6) |
| 3 | Davis Thompson | 66 (-5) |
| T4 | Billy Horschel | 67 (-4) |
| T4 | Pierceson Coody | 67 (-4) |
| T4 | Andrew Putnam | 67 (-4) |
