March 25, 2025, MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Viktor Hovland shot a 2-under par 69 on Saturday to share the 54-hole lead at the Valspar Championship, aiming for his first US PGA Tour title since 2023.
Despite coming into the event with three consecutive missed cuts, Hovland, who has struggled with inconsistency and undergone five coaching changes, is currently tied at the top with Colombian Nico Echavarria and American Jacob Bridgeman, all at seven-under 206.
“It’s fun to be in contention, but it’s a bit stressful when you don’t feel super comfortable over the ball,” Hovland said. “But it’s fun to see some putts go in and put up good scores. Still feels like saving a lot of shots, but they’re going straight, so it’s OK.” Hovland is hoping to capture his first win since taking the Tour Championship in 2023, where he also won three PGA titles and the FedEx Cup.
Echavarria, chasing his third PGA title, bounced back from a 1-over par 72 on Friday with a bogey-free 5-under par 66, making five birdies on the back nine. “I gave myself a lot of looks,” Echavarria said. “I got the speed right on the back nine and made a lot of good putts.”
Bridgeman, in search of his first win in his second full season on tour, started the day with a one-shot lead and stayed at the top with a 1-under 70, including four bogeys and five birdies.
“I had fun today,” said the 25-year-old. “I found some new spots on the course, and I scrambled well.” Bridgeman noted that the afternoon winds made shot-making challenging, and the dry greens were “getting a little bit crusty.”
The leading trio were one stroke ahead of American Ricky Castillo, who shot a 68, while a group of players, including major winners Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry, are on 208.
Lowry, who struggled on the greens during a 1-under 70, remains in contention, saying, “I can’t remember the last time I hit so many good putts that burned the edge... I feel like I didn’t get rewarded, but if I shoot in the mid-60s tomorrow, something could happen.”