Five-Way Tie for Lead After First Round of 2025 Valspar Championship
Challenging conditions at Copperhead Course test players as Xander Schauffele works on his comeback from injury.
- Keith Mitchell, Stephan Jaeger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo, and Sami Valimaki share the lead at 4-under 67 after the first round.
- Xander Schauffele, ranked No. 3 in the world, posted a 1-under 70 as he continues to recover from a rib injury and regain his form.
- The Copperhead Course lived up to its reputation with strong winds, rain, and a demanding layout, making scoring difficult for much of the field.
- Emerging talent Jacob Bridgeman impressed by recovering from a rough start to secure his share of the lead with a strong front-nine performance.
- Defending champion Peter Malnati and other notable players, including Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland, struggled to find their rhythm in tough conditions.