Hovland grabs share of Valspar lead in bid to end PGA title drought

Miami Gardens, Florida: Viktor Hovoland loaded a pair 69 of 2 under Saturday to obtain a part of the 54 -hole advantage in the Valspar Championship, where the Norwegian is a shot for his first title of the PGA of the PGA of the USA. UU. Since 2023.

Hovoland, who arted in the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, this week by three consecutive lost cuts, says he is still fighting the inconsistency he has seen five training changes while collapsed from the room in the world to 19.

But I could see “much good” after publishing three Birdies and a ghost to join the Colombian Nico Echavarria and the American Jacob Bridgeman at the top of the classification table in seven under 206.

“It’s fun to be in content, but it’s a bit more stressful when you don’t feel super comfortable about the ball,” said Hovoland. “But, man, it is fun to see that some put in and even see that the ball ends near the hole and put some good scores there.

“It still feels like saving many shots, but they are doing quite straight, so it’s fine,” added Hovoland, who is chasing the first title since he won the Tour championship in 2023, when he claimed three from HISEX.

Echavarria, chasing a third PGA title, recovered from a 72 of 1 torque on Friday with a pair 66 of 5 foundation without flagey, causing five of its six Birdies in the nineteenth behind.

“I cooled many looks,” Echavarria said. “I was leaving a couple of Putts Birdie in the front nine. I obtained the speed right in the back nine, I made many good putts.”

Bridgeman, looking for his first victory in his second full season on the tour, began the day with a single shot and remained on the board with a low 70 that had four bogeys and five birdies.

“I had fun today,” said the 25 -year -old. “I was sailing a lot from the course. It seemed to find some places that I had never seen before, so it was fun. I twisted well.”

Bridgeman said the rotating winds in the afternoon made uncertainty in many shots, while the green dried in the wind “were becoming a bit crispy.”

The main trio was a blow to the American Ricky Castillo, who carried a 68, while a large group in 208 included the main winners Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry.

The Ireland Lowry had a frustrating day in the Greens on the road to 1 Bajo 70, but said it was in hunting.

“I don’t remember the last time I hit so many good whores that burned the advantage,” he said. “I made it a bit too far from the hole today … but I feel that they didn’t reward me at all.

“(But) I know if I can leave and shoot in the mid -60s (Sunday) that something could happen.”