Sungjae Im held onto his lead at the Valspar Championship after rallying on the back nine to edge ahead of David Lipsky.
After missing two straight cuts in his return from a wrist injury, Im shot a two-under 69 to get to nine under par – a stroke ahead of Lipsky in firm and fast conditions on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook.
Im had three bogeys and two birdies in a front-nine 37, then birdied the par-five 11th and par-four 12th. He broke a tie for the lead with a seven-foot birdie putt on the par-three 17th.
The 27-year-old South Korean player has two PGA Tour victories, the 2020 Honda Classic and 2021 Shriners Children’s Open.
Lipsky shot 65, playing in the first group of the day off the first tee. Winless on the PGA Tour, he birdied the first two holes and four of the first six, added two more on 10 and 11 and parred the final seven.
Sungjae Im has a one shot lead going into the third round of the Valspar Championship
“It was excellent. I did everything well,” Lipsky said. “Missed it in the right spots, holed the putts early on to get some momentum going. That finishing stretch is obviously tough, so able to save a couple pars down on 16 and 18 and really kept the round going.”
Chandler Blanchet and Doug Ghim were seven under. Blanchet closed with a bogey for a 66. Ghim shot 67, making an eagle on the par-five 11th, then giving back the strokes with bogeys on 15 and 16.
“Obviously, I wish I would have finished a little bit better,” Ghim said. “Two bad holes doesn’t really necessarily kind of ruin a good day.”
Snedeker had a 72 to drop to five under. The 45-year-old US Presidents Cup captain received a sponsor exemption.
“The good thing is it’s playing really tough and tricky this afternoon,” Snedeker said. “Try to take a positive from that. Hung in there when things weren’t going great.”
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, second last week in The Players Championship, was five under with Jordan Smith and Marco Penge.
Brooks Koepka was tied for 10th at four under after a 67 in his return to Innisbrook. He missed a three-foot birdie putt on his final hole.
Defending champion Viktor Hovland missed the cut with rounds of 70 and 75.
Watch round three of The Valspar Championship live on Sky Sports Golf from 11.45am on Saturday. Stream golf contract-free.
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