Hovland, Bridgeman, Echavarria on PGA Tour’s Valspar

Palm Harbor, Fla. – Viktor Hovland’s allegations and collapsed Saturday remained stable, giving him a lead in Innisbrook’s three-pointer lead, and two-dozen players remained important.

Jacob Bridgeman showed a lot of courage when he was the leader of the 36-hole for the first time, trailing four shots on the turn and rallying at 70 to share the lead with Hovland (69) and Nico Echavarria (66).

They were 7 shots under 206 and it seemed everyone was following behind. Among them is Justin Thomas, who left Friday in hopes he will advance. He shot 30 shots with 65 in the last nine games, his lowest shot on Innisbrook’s Copperhead field, completing two runs.

Jordan Spieth, as entertaining as ever, made birdies from the depths of the woods twice and lacked a pair of short par putts, had to settle down 67.

Byeong Hun An is the only player who birds on the 11th hole to under 9, and can only create five taboos with a score of 72 in the last seven holes.

Hovland entered this week to find his swing, back to another coach willing to spend as much time as possible to figure out where the ball was going. So far, it’s in his favor.

“It’s fun to compete for competition, but when you’re uncomfortable with the ball, the stress is more intense,” Hofland said. “But man, it’s fun to see some putts in, and still see the ball end up near the hole and gets some good results there.”

Echavarria, who won her second PGA Tour title in Japan last fall, led the final group and kicked Bogey-Fime with 66, taking Birdie’s performance in three of the 3-3 in the back nine.

The Colombian didn’t expect to have a lead after the end, although he knew he would at least have a chance.

“It’s a golf course and you don’t have to be the leader who starts to attract leaders,” he said. “We’ve seen it’s a tough golf course. You have to drive your own ball here. You have to hit the green. It’s hard around the green. So tomorrow we’re going to have a good round.”

The most impressive thing is Bridgeman, a sophomore who missed a 3-foot PAR putt to start the third round. He also took two bogeys, finished the first nine, and left behind. But then he hit the 3-foot bird in 10th position and returned. At one point, Bridgeman had seven consecutive pars without par.

“I just bowed my head and did my best,” Bridgeman said. “I didn’t play well. I wasn’t panic, I wasn’t really frightened. But I knew if I could get the ball on the fairway, I would be fine.”

He said that after 10 birdies, his caddie GW cable slapped him in the back and told him, “Let’s go.”

“I kept it going,” Bridgeman said.

Thomas and Spieth hitchhike five hours before the leader, and long-time friends took turns posting birds. Thomas was frustrated until he pushed an eagle from within 30 feet of the 5th 11 hole within 30 feet and was right on his way. Thomas pulled out the bird in the next three holes and once shot.

“We did a four-hole run there, and it could be a whole week of excitement,” Thomas said. “So hopefully it’s an excitement for a week.”

Ricky Castillo had 68 shots, one shot behind. Thomas and Shane Lowry (70) were five players who hit under 5 in 208, while Billy Horschel (69) fell behind in the big group again. Lucas Glover (69) is part of the group, with Spieth behind four.

“The rankings pile up. There may be 25 people – maybe 30 people – that may still win this golf game,” said Jeremy Paul of Germany. “Try to blend a good round and see where it puts me.”