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Jacob Bridgeman carded a 69 in two stockings to take a slim advance at a blow halfway through the American Valspar Tour PGA championship in Florida on Friday.
The 25 -year -old man from Caroline du Sud recovered from one before nine in front who saw two birdies and two Bogeys to end the day on six under 36 holes at the Palm Harbor’s Innisbrook Resort.
Bridgeman, who only played his second full season on the tour, is full of trust after a second place in Cognizing Classic earlier this month – the first top 10 in his career.
“I was much more comfortable this year,” said Bridgeman. “Being my second year, knowing the courses and familiar with where to travel and what to do … finish second was only a trusted manufacturer for me.
“I have not yet done such in my career and it was rather pleasant to remove this one.”
Bridgeman will have little margin of error during the weekend, with a crowded ranking that hides just behind him.
Three players – Viktor Hovland in Norway, Ryo Hisatsune from Japan and a Byyeong -Hun from South Korea – are one in advance on Five Under.
Hisatsune accelerated in the ranking with a 66 of five sub-values which included five birdies on the nine rear.
Major winners Shane Lowry and Xander Schauffele are also at a hit, two in advance on four sous.
Schauffele has only recently returned to a layoff of an eight -week injury and slowly feels back in form and physical form after a dazzling 2024 which included victories at the PGA Championship and British Open.
Although he finished the players’ championship last week last week, the 31 -year -old said on Friday that he had been encouraged by his form so far in the Valspar.
“The goal was just to be in contact in the weekend, to put some of these feelings,” said Schauffele. “As soon as I feel a little pressure in my game, the swing is sometimes a little doubtful.
“So all of this is part of the return and trying to play at a high level.”
Five players are three in advance on three cents, including Harry Hall in England and Emiliano Grillo in Argentina.
RCW / SEV
