Im Sung-jae extended his lead through the third round of the PGA Tour Valspar Championship ($9.1 million purse), moving closer to his first victory in four years and five months.
Im carded a 2-under-par 69 with four birdies and two bogeys at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, on Friday.
At 11-under-par 202, Im maintained his position atop the leaderboard for the third consecutive day. He holds a two-stroke advantage over co-runners-up David Lipsky and Brandt Snedeker, both of the United States, at 9-under-par.
Im struggled early this season due to a lingering wrist injury but appears to have fully recovered at this tournament. After a delayed start to the season earlier this month, Im missed consecutive cuts at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and last week's Players Championship.
However, his third tournament proved different. Im surged to the solo lead with a 7-under-par opening round and steadily added 2-under-par scores in the second and third rounds, building momentum toward victory. Im, who has two career PGA Tour wins, last claimed a title at the Shriners Children's Open in October 2021.
Im started strong with a birdie on the par-4 first hole and added two more birdies to trim three strokes on the front nine. He stumbled with consecutive bogeys on holes 12 and 13 on the back nine but finished on a positive note with a birdie on the par-4 18th.
Im has showcased exceptional putting throughout the tournament, with mid-range putts consistently finding the hole. Over three days, he ranked first in putts per green in regulation at 1.53 and second in strokes gained putting at 7.199.
Marco Penge and Matt Fitzpatrick of England sit tied for fourth at 8-under-par, while Kim Seong-hyeon and Kim Joo-hyung share sixth place at 6-under-par.