PALM HARBOR, Fla. – The chase for the Valspar Championship title continues Saturday at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course, with Sungjae Im and David Lipsky holding a narrow lead as the third round gets underway. The challenging course, known for its demanding finishing holes, promises a compelling day of golf as players battle for position heading into Sunday. Tee times begin at 7:35 a.m. ET, with the final group of Im and Lipsky set to tee off at 1:55 p.m. ET.
While the leaderboard is tightly packed, a compelling narrative is unfolding with veteran players like Brandt Snedeker and Gary Woodland in contention. Both golfers are navigating personal challenges alongside their pursuit of a championship, adding an extra layer of interest to their Saturday rounds. The Valspar Championship, a staple on the PGA Tour since 2000, has a history of dramatic finishes, and this year appears to be no exception.
Broadcast coverage begins on Golf Channel from 1-3 p.m. ET, transitioning to NBC from 3-6 p.m. ET. For those seeking early access, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will offer exclusive streaming coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET, including featured groups and holes. ESPN+ provides a comprehensive viewing experience for golf enthusiasts.
A Veteran Pairing Draws Attention
The 1:15 p.m. ET grouping of Brandt Snedeker and Gary Woodland is generating significant buzz. Snedeker, currently five strokes off the lead, is also balancing his competitive play with his responsibilities as the U.S. Presidents Cup team captain. He’s a nine-time PGA Tour winner, but hasn’t secured a victory since 2018. “It’s nice to demonstrate my son and kids I can still do this every once in a while,” Snedeker said, according to reporting from Golf.com. “But excellent golf after two rounds is a whole different thing than good golf after four. So we got two more rounds to go prove it, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Woodland’s story is particularly poignant. The 2019 U.S. Open champion has been remarkably candid about his battle with PTSD following surgery for a lesion on his brain. He revealed his struggles last week, and his strong performance at the Valspar Championship is a testament to his resilience. “It’s been coming,” Woodland told Golf.com. “I’ve been hitting it nice on the range, our practice sessions have been really good. I just haven’t translated it to the golf course.” His ability to contend while navigating such personal challenges is inspiring many.
Saturday’s Full Tee Times
Here’s a complete seem at the Saturday tee times for the third round of the 2026 Valspar Championship (all times ET):
Tee No. 1
- 7:35 a.m. – John Parry, John VanDerLaan
- 7:45 a.m. – Andrew Novak, A.J. Ewart
- 7:55 a.m. – Patrick Rodgers, Davis Thompson
- 8:05 a.m. – Matti Schmid, Mackenzie Hughes
- 8:15 a.m. – Davis Chatfield, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- 8:25 a.m. – Kevin Streelman, Vince Whaley
- 8:35 a.m. – Stefan Jaeger, Dylan Wu
- 8:45 a.m. – Michael Kim, Bud Cauley
- 9:00 a.m. – Keegan Bradley, Lee Hodges
- 9:10 a.m. – Justin Lower, Denny McCarthy
- 9:20 a.m. – Isaiah Salinda, Jimmy Stanger
- 9:30 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Ryo Hisatsune
- 9:40 a.m. – Rasmus Hojgaard, Joel Dahmen
- 9:50 a.m. – Henrik Norlander, Chad Ramey
- 10:00 a.m. – Karl Vilips, Kevin Roy
- 10:10 a.m. – Matt Wallace, Ricky Castillo
- 10:25 a.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Takumi Kanaya
- 10:35 a.m. – Kevin Yu, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
- 10:45 a.m. – Sam Ryder, Justin Thomas
- 10:55 a.m. – Andrew Putnam, Kensei Hirata
- 11:05 a.m. – Pierceson Coody, Matthieu Pavon
- 11:15 a.m. – Chandler Phillips, Xander Schauffele
- 11:25 a.m. – Adrien Dumont de Chassart, S.H. Kim
- 11:35 a.m. – Seamus Power, Blades Brown
- 11:50 a.m. – Billy Horschel, Tom Kim
- 12:00 p.m. – Hank Lebioda, Patrick Cantlay
- 12:10 p.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Alejandro Tosti
- 12:20 p.m. – David Skinns, David Ford
- 12:30 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Rico Hoey
- 12:40 p.m. – Corey Conners, Nicolai Hojgaard
- 12:50 p.m. – Danny Walker, Brooks Koepka
- 1:00 p.m. – Jacob Bridgeman, Tony Finau
- 1:15 p.m. – Brandt Snedeker, Gary Woodland
- 1:25 p.m. – Jordan Smith, Alex Smalley
- 1:35 p.m. – Marco Penge, Matt Fitzpatrick
- 1:45 p.m. – Doug Ghim, Chandler Blanchet
- 1:55 p.m. – Sungjae Im, David Lipsky
Looking Ahead to Sunday
As the players head into the final round, the competition is expected to intensify. Im and Lipsky will face the pressure of maintaining their lead, while players like Snedeker and Woodland will be looking to capitalize on their experience and momentum. The Copperhead Course’s challenging layout will undoubtedly test the players’ skills and mental fortitude.
Sunday’s final round promises a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Valspar Championship. The tournament is scheduled to conclude around 6 p.m. ET, with the winner claiming the coveted title and a significant boost in the FedExCup standings. Updates and final results will be available on PGATour.com.
What are your predictions for Sunday’s final round? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow golf fans!
