Viktor Hovland carded a two-under par 69 on Saturday to seize a share of the 54-hole lead on the Valspar Championship, the place the Norwegian is gunning for his first US PGA Tour title since 2023.
Hovland, who arrived on the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, this week off of three straight missed cuts, says he’s nonetheless battling the inconsistency that has seen him make 5 teaching adjustments as he slumped from fourth on this planet to nineteenth.
However he might see “a variety of good” after posting three birdies and a bogey to hitch Colombian Nico Echavarria and American Jacob Bridgeman atop the leaderboard on seven-under 206.
“It’s enjoyable to be in competition, however it’s a little bit extra anxious while you don’t really feel tremendous comfy over the ball,” Hovland mentioned.
“However, man, it’s enjoyable to see some putts go in and nonetheless see the ball find yourself near the opening and put some good scores up there.
“Nonetheless appears like saving a variety of photographs, however they’re going pretty straight so it’s OK,” added Hovland, who’s chasing his first title since he gained the Tour Championship in 2023 — when he claimed three of his six PGA victories and captured the FedEx Cup crown.
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Echavarria, chasing a 3rd PGA title, rebounded from a one-over par 72 on Friday with a bogey-free five-under par 66, making 5 of his six birdies n the again 9.
“I gave myself a variety of appears,” Echavarria mentioned.
“I used to be leaving a pair birdie putts quick on the entrance 9. I received the velocity proper on the again 9, made a variety of good putts coming in.”
Bridgeman, searching for his first win in his second full season on the tour, began the day with a one-shot lead and saved himself atop the board with a one-under 70 that featured 4 bogeys and 5 birdies.
“I had enjoyable as we speak,” the 25-year-old mentioned.
“I used to be navigating a variety of the course. I appeared to search out some spots that I had by no means see earlier than, in order that was enjoyable. I scrambled effectively.”
Bridgeman mentioned swirling winds within the afternoon made for uncertainty on many photographs whereas the wind-dried greens “had been getting somewhat bit crusty”.
The main trio had been one stroke in entrance of American Ricky Castillo, who carded a 68, whereas an enormous group on 208 included main winners Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry.
Eire’s Lowry had a irritating day on the greens on the best way to a one-under 70 however mentioned he was proper within the hunt.
“I can’t keep in mind the final time I hit so many good putts that burned the sting,” he mentioned.
“I did hit it most likely somewhat bit too distant from the opening as we speak … however I simply really feel like I didn’t get rewarded in any respect.
“(However) I do know if I can exit and shoot within the mid 60s (Sunday) that one thing might occur.”
Third-round leaderboard for US PGA Tour Valspar Championship
T1 — Nico Echavarria 68-72-66, Jacob Bridgeman 67-69-70, Viktor Hovland 70-67-69
4 — Ricky Castillo 67-72-68
T5 — Justin Thomas 73-70-65, Kevin Yu 72-68-68, Davis Riley 69-70-69, Jeremy Paul 69-69-70, Shane Lowry 71-67-70, Ryo Hisatsune 71-66-71
T11 — Andrew Novak 69-72-68, Joe Highsmith 73-67-69, Billy Horschel 69-71-69, Corey Conners 71-69-69, Emiliano Grillo 71-68-70, An Byeong-hun 70-67-72