Truist Championship: Leaderboard Shifts as Round 3 Begins Amid Weather Delays The 2026 Truist Championship entered its third round on Saturday, May 9, with the leaderboard still in flux as players aim to secure a spot in the PGA Championship. Sungjae Im, the tournament’s early leader, maintained his position at 9 under par after a dominant 7-under performance in Round 1. His lead, however, is narrow, with several players within striking distance. Tommy Fleetwood trails by a single stroke after posting two consecutive 4-under rounds, while Justin Thomas and Alex Fitzpatrick, who recently celebrated their brother’s PGA Tour victory, sit two shots behind. Rory McIlroy, the 2018 Masters champion, surged into the top 10 following a 4-under Round 2, positioning him four strokes off the pace. Other players with strong second-round performances include Kristoffer Reitan, Ludvig Aberg, Cameron Young, Akshay Bhatia, Nicolai Højgaard, and Rickie Fowler, who climbed into contention with an impressive 8-under round. A total of 22 players are within six shots of Im’s lead, highlighting the competitive nature of the field as they prepare to head into the PGA Championship. The tournament faced logistical challenges on Day 3 due to weather disruptions. For the second consecutive day, the start of Round 3 was delayed by inclement conditions in Charlotte, North Carolina. The first round had already been postponed by over four hours due to heavy rain, forcing organizers to switch from the original pairs format to split-tee threesomes. This adjustment led to Round 3 beginning at 8:50 a.m. ET, 75 minutes later than the original schedule. Meteorological forecasts indicate a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit with intermittent clouds and sun on Saturday.#justin_thomas #tommy_fleetwood #sungjae_im #alex_fitzpatrick #truist_championship
Sungjae Im Leads as Rory McIlroy Makes Friday Charge at Truist Championship CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rory McIlroy returned to form on Friday at the Truist Championship, finishing with a 4-under 67 on the back nine to move into contention. The world No. 2 player, who had played only one tournament in seven weeks since winning the Masters in April, climbed four shots behind the 36-hole leader, Sungjae Im, who was at 9-under 133. McIlroy entered the day at 1 under after the turn, eight shots behind the leader, but birdies on holes 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16 propelled him into the mix. His approach shots improved throughout the round, and he set a personal course record by hitting 14 consecutive greens in regulation. Despite missing a par putt on the par-4 18th hole after finding a greenside bunker, McIlroy remained optimistic. “It was a good day to get myself back in the hunt, and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend,” he said. McIlroy’s performance was notable after a slow start, as he struggled to find his rhythm following his recent return to competitive play. He acknowledged the challenge of translating practice sessions into tournament success, stating, “I think just getting the reps under my belt a little bit and getting a scorecard in my hand helps. Your patterns on the golf course are always a little bit different than your patterns on the range.” His 32 on the back nine, despite the missed par putt, highlighted his progress. Sungjae Im, the South Korean golfer, maintained his lead after a strong performance. He followed an opening round 7-under 64 with a 69, aiming for his first PGA Tour victory since 2021 in Las Vegas. Im, who has battled a wrist injury this season and only had one top-40 finish, said, “I know this course very well, so I’m taking advantage of that.#rory_mcilroy #tommy_fleetwood #sungjae_im #cameron_young #truist_championship
2026 Valspar Championship purse: Payout breakdown, winner’s share The 2026 Valspar Championship will distribute a total prize pool of $9.1 million to competing golfers. The final round, set to take place on Sunday at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, will determine the champion and the distribution of the purse. Sungjae Im, a 27-year-old South Korean player, currently leads the field by two strokes heading into the final round. His recent performance has been affected by military training obligations and a wrist injury, making a victory in Florida his first since 2021—nearly four and a half years ago. Im’s position is challenged by two experienced PGA Tour veterans in second place. Brandt Snedeker, a 45-year-old U.S. Presidents Cup captain, has secured nine career victories but has not claimed a title since 2018. Similarly, 37-year-old David Lipsky, who has three international wins to his name, has competed in 144 PGA Tour events without securing a victory. Both players are vying for a breakthrough in the tournament. Further down the leaderboard, Marco Penge and Matt Fitzpatrick trail Im by three strokes. Penge, seeking his first PGA Tour win, faces stiff competition from Fitzpatrick, a U.S. Open champion aiming for his third career title on the PGA Tour. The tournament’s prize money adds significant incentive for these players, with the champion set to earn $1.638 million and the runner-up receiving $991,900. The top 22 finishers will also share a six-figure payout. The Valspar Championship’s prize structure underscores the financial stakes for participants, with the total purse reflecting the event’s status as a major PGA Tour event. While the final round promises dramatic moments, the competition remains fierce, with multiple players vying for both prestige and substantial rewards.#brandt_snedeker #valspar_championship #sungjae_im #innisbrook_resort #david_lipsky
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
