Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge Three Back as Im Holds 54‑Hole Lead at Valspar
marco penge and Matt Fitzpatrick sit three shots behind leader Sungjae Im heading into the final round of the Valspar Championship. As of 11: 45am ET Sunday Im is 11-under through 54 holes at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course. The tight leaderboard leaves both English contenders within striking distance on a course whose closing holes have decided this event before.
Marco Penge and Fitzpatrick chasing Im
Sungjae Im leads at 11-under after rounds that included an opening 64 and consecutive 69s, maintaining the 54-hole advantage he has held all week. Brandt Snedeker and David Lipsky are tied for second, two shots back, while England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and marco penge are tied for fourth at eight-under following third-round 68s. Penge’s three-under 68 on Saturday kept him firmly in contention, one shot behind the American pair in a share of second.
Immediate reactions from contenders
Matt Fitzpatrick, 2022 US Open champion and PGA TOUR player, reflected on recent form and pressure: “Definitely a little bit. You’re always thinking about past experience, trying to draw on that and that’s what I did today. ” Fitzpatrick acknowledged last week’s agonising finish at THE PLAYERS Championship and said he would use that experience going into the final round. Sungjae Im, PGA TOUR player, pointed to steady improvement after a wrist issue and practice work: “I think a lot of my shots that I didn’t like from last year I was able, once I started practicing, I was able to correct and it’s just been consistently getting better. ” No quotes are available from marco penge in the provided material, but his Saturday 68 left him in the leading group as play moves to Sunday.
Quick context
Sungjae Im led after each of the first three rounds and is pursuing his first 54-hole conversion at this venue since 2022. The Copperhead Course’s closing stretch—holes 16–18—has historically been decisive, producing a heavy tally of bogeys and worse over the week.
What’s next
The final round begins at 11: 45am ET Sunday, and the field will face the infamous “Snake Pit” finish that has determined winners in prior years. Expect an intense back-nine where a single swing can flip the leaderboard; marco penge and Fitzpatrick will need birdies and steady nerves to chase Im, while the leader must protect a three-shot cushion on a course that punishes mistakes.
