At the Innisbrook Resort, Keith Mitchell played well in a strong wind on the challenging Copperhead Course on Thursday. However, he lost two strokes in the final round and had to settle for a 4-under 67 and a five-way lead in the Valspar Championship.
There were moments when the gusts reached 30 mph. In the afternoon, there was a quick shower and the players were soaked. Additionally, the course is already known as one of the top PGA TOUR tests.
As a result, he now shares the lead with Sami Valimaki, Ricky Castillo, Jacob Bridgeman, and Stephan Jaeger. Kevin Velo, who was 2-under through 17 holes before play was halted due to darkness, was one of only 21 players to break 70.
Velo understands Mitchell’s emotions. Up until his day ended with consecutive bogeys, he was tied for the lead and bogey-free.
On the 8th par-3, his 17th of the day, Mitchell had a birdie chance from just within 50 feet, but he missed it by 10 feet and 3-putted for bogey. Then, on the 9th uphill, he battled a strong wind into the right rough, went just over the back, and finished with a bogey.
“Saying that you left some outside in the wind is absurd. I don’t want to say that because you will probably make mistakes and make putts or shots that you wish you could take back. However, I feel okay if you remove those two bogeys from the round and apply them elsewhere.” Mitchell said.
After missing 2 months due to a rib ailment, Xander Schauffele made some progress in his 3rd consecutive tournament, opening with a 70 despite making 3 of his 4 bogeys on the par 3s, just like everyone else.
Justin Thomas played hard to the end, going bogey-free on the back 9 to salvage a 73 after going out in 40 in the afternoon. Jordan Spieth, who won at Innisbrook 10 years ago on his way to a Masters green jacket, was 1 shot ahead of him. Before hitting his final 5 in regulation, Spieth had only hit 2 fairways in 13 holes.
He scored a 5-foot birdie on the 18th for 74 after 3-putting from 18 feet for bogey on the 17th.
Mitchell feels conflicted about Innisbrook since he loves the course yet has negative recollections of it. A year ago, he had a 2-shot lead heading into the last round, but it was a weird round where he shot 77 and didn’t make birdie until the 14th hole.
“I still consider it. I want it to remain in the back of my mind for the remainder of my career, hopefully, to serve as a reminder of what it’s like to allow those kinds of nerves get in the way of your goals. Today’s round feels like the exact reverse of that.” Mitchell said.
Lately, the others at 67 rallied. Jaeger birdied his final 2 holes and will defend his title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open next week. Beginning with an eagle on the par-5 opening hole, Bridgeman went bogey-bogey before rallying with a 32 on the front 9.
But trouble was never far away. After making five birdies in a six-hole span on the back nine, Sahith Theegala was at 4-under. He shot 69 after making two three-putt bogeys in the final round, one from 18 feet at No. 17 and another from almost 60 feet down the crest on the 18th.
