2025 Valspar Championship: First Round Recap

The opening round of the 2025 Valspar Championship proved to be a formidable test for the players as they faced challenging weather conditions and the notoriously tough Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort. With wind speeds consistently ranging from 15 to 20 mph and gusts hitting 30 mph, the leaders finished only at 4-under par, marking it the second-lowest first round leading score in the tournament’s history.

Morning vs. Afternoon Rounds

The players who teed off in the morning wave appeared to gain an advantage from the weather. Notably, four of the five co-leaders emerged from this earlier set of tee times. In contrast, those who played in the afternoon were hindered by a sudden downpour that complicated play significantly for several holes.

Highlighted Performances

Keith Mitchell showcased an impressive performance, reaching 6-under on his 17th hole, but ultimately carding a 67 due to a double bogey on No. 8, followed by another bogey on No. 9.

“It’s crazy to say you left some out there when it’s windy… All in all, I kept it together,” said Mitchell, reflecting on his round.

Joining the ranks of the leaders at 4-under were Jacob Bridgeman, Stephen Jaeger, Ricky Castillo, and Sami Valimaki. Valimaki, who bested the rainy conditions better than most, cited difficulties on the course but managed to secure three pars during the early downpour.

“Yeah, it wasn’t the best time to be on the golf course… but managed to make a couple pars,” said Valimaki about his round.

Conditions and Course Challenges

The round did not conclude until 7:39 p.m. ET when darkness halted play. Groups still on the course will finish their rounds at 9 a.m. the following day, while the next round begins at 7:35 a.m., maintaining the tournament’s schedule.

There are 22 players within two strokes of the lead, indicating potential volatility on the leaderboard heading into Friday.

Other Notable Players

• T6. Ryan Fox, Nico Echavarria, Nick Hardy (-3)
• T9. Davis Riley, Harry Hall, Billy Horschel, Andrew Putnam, Victor Perez, Jeremy Paul, Nate Lashley, Sam Stevens, Luke List, Sahith Theegala, Andrew Novak, Justin Lower, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Kevin Velo (-2)

Big Names Struggling

Some key players are fighting to avoid missing the cut. Jordan Spieth’s inconsistent performance included an eagle followed by consecutive bogeys, leaving him at 3-over par for the tournament.

“It’s just tough out there,” Spieth remarked after his round.

Justin Thomas, another favorite, finished with a 73, putting him just outside the cut line. Both players will need to significantly improve their game on Friday to stay in contention.

A Look Ahead at the Odds

As the tournament progresses, here are the updated odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:

• Keith Mitchell +1000
• Stephan Jaeger +1100
• Jacob Bridgeman +1200
• Xander Schauffele +1200
• Sepp Straka +1600
• Tommy Fleetwood +2500
• Sahith Theegala +2800

With the leaderboard tightly packed, the upcoming rounds are expected to bring excitement as players vie for improved standing in the tournament.