Brandt Snedeker Turns Back the Clock With Opening 65 at Valspar Championship PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Brandt Snedeker’s opportunity to compete at the Valspar Championship this week felt like a rare chance to reclaim his form after a difficult 2026. The 45-year-old nine-time PGA Tour champion, who underwent sternum surgery four years ago, has struggled to regain his previous level of play. After missing all four cuts in his limited tournament appearances this year, a strong opening-round 65 at the event provided both a positive start and validation for a recent change in his putting equipment. Snedeker’s 65 on Thursday at the Copperhead course included six birdies and no bogeys, with a back-nine score of 30. The performance marked a significant step forward, as he had previously failed to capitalize on similar chances. The round also highlighted his improved putting, with 148 feet of putts made after hitting 14 of 18 greens in regulation. “I putted great today,” he said. “Made a bunch of putts, and that put me in position off the tee. Hit a lot of fairways and greens, and it was stress-free. Really excited about how it started, but there’s a long way to go from here.” Snedeker’s performance placed him one stroke behind early leader Sungjae Im, a result that stood in contrast to his recent struggles. Over the past year, he has missed the cut at four events, including the American Express, Farmers Insurance Open, Cognizant Classic, and Puerto Rico Open. His reliance on sponsor invites for these tournaments underscores the challenges he faces in securing regular PGA Tour events. Last year, he finished 126th in FedEx Cup points, a ranking that limits his access to top-tier competitions.#pga_tour #brandt_snedeker #valspar_championship #sungjae_im #copperhead_course
