Before he teed off in the Valspar Championship on Thursday, Kevin Streelman had to get USGA approval for a new ball marker that would aid with alignment. He led by one stroke with a 7-under 64 after making 10 straight one-putt greens.
Streelman made the most of the excellent conditions by making birdies on all 4 of the Copperhead Course’s par 5s at Innisbrook Resort. He completed the round with just 24 putts.
“I had a feeling that today would be good, and the next few days would be spent wearing your shorts. So I’m just trying to be positive and have fun.” Streelman said.
During the pro-am, Streelman experimented with a new ball marker. The top circular component has a solid line and a long spike that is meant to be buried. Before lining up his golf ball, he looks at the line and can turn the piece to get a clear picture.
“I think this new ball marker I’m using is kind of neat; it’s legal and can offer you some visual signals, which is beneficial. That was something I used today, and I believe it also helped a little.” Streelman said.
Beginning with a 5-foot birdie putt on the 14th par-5, his run of one-putts came to a stop with an 8-foot birdie on the par-5 fifth. During that period, he made 4 par saves, some of them harder than others.
It was added to his lowest score since finishing in second place at the 3M Open in Minnesota last summer with a 64.
66-year-old Carl Yuan enjoyed himself greatly in the company of his spouse, who gave him explicit instructions. He was celebrating his birthday. It was his 27th birthday. She didn’t want him to obsess on golf all day.
Unquestionably had a slightly different perspective. The only thing I’ll do is enjoy myself on the course, according to my wife, who called me this morning to let me know about the birthday. Just play golf; don’t come out here to practise golf swings. That’s what I carried out. Yes, things turned out quite nicely.
Even without a birthday and cupcakes in the locker room in his honour, Roy can sympathise. His only joy, after learning of his sponsor exemption two weeks prior, was to be at the Valspar Championship. Roy placed 174th in the FedEx Cup last year and missed the cut in eight PGA TOUR events by a single stroke.
After finishing in second place in the Bahamas, he’s already off to a strong start on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“I informed my friend, Caddie, that there truly wasn’t anything to lose. Let’s go out and enjoy ourselves. I’m going to try to keep the pedal down and see where it takes us, but my main focus is the Korn Ferry Tour this year.” Roy stated.
Even with a stiffer breeze in the afternoon, the conditions were so good that 27 players on one of the tougher courses on the Florida Swing were at 68 or lower.
Peter Malnati, Adam Svensson, and Keith Mitchell, all of Canada, joined Yuan, the oldest of the group at 67. Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele were two of the individuals at 68.
Before making two bogeys on his final three holes—a long-range three-putt on the sixteenth and an unsuccessful attempt to get up and down on the eighteenth—Jordan Spieth appeared to have a chance to join them. Nevertheless, he shot 69.
