Five-Way Tie Leads Valspar Championship After Challenging First Round
Keith Mitchell, Stephan Jaeger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo, and Sami Valimaki share the lead at 4-under 67 as difficult conditions test players at the Copperhead Course.
- The first round of the 2025 Valspar Championship concluded with a five-way tie for the lead at 4-under 67, featuring Keith Mitchell, Stephan Jaeger, Jacob Bridgeman, Ricky Castillo, and Sami Valimaki.
- Challenging weather, including strong winds and rain, made scoring difficult on the Copperhead Course, renowned for its demanding layout.
- Xander Schauffele, ranked No. 3 in the world, returned to competition after a rib injury and finished 1-under 70, tied for 26th place.
- Defending champion Peter Malnati, seeking to become the third back-to-back winner in the tournament's history, faced a mixed start to his title defense.
- The Copperhead Course, the longest par-71 on the PGA Tour this season, continues to test players with its 'Snake Pit' stretch and narrow fairways.
Newsweek 
Deadspin 
Forbes 
