The Valspar Championship has turned into a display of frustration as players battle challenging conditions at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course. Patton Kizzire notably punted his putter after missing a 6-foot par putt, achieving impressive height and distance before withdrawing shortly after.

Sahith Theegala followed suit the next day, tomahawking his iron off the tee box at the par-3 4th hole after a disappointing shot. Despite the outburst, Theegala managed to save par and card a 72, securing his spot for the weekend at one-under overall.

The course has proven exceptionally difficult through 36 holes, with wind gusts and cold temperatures challenging the field. The first-round leaders were tied at four-under, marking the highest leading score since 2016. Defending champion Peter Malnati struggled to find fairways, becoming the first player in over two decades to miss every fairway in a round at this tournament.

Shane Lowry, currently at four-under, emphasized the deceptive nature of the conditions: "A lot trickier than what they might look on TV... there's a lot of trust involved. It was gusting and cold, so there's a lot of factors you have to take in."

Justin Thomas, at one-over, added perspective on the challenging conditions: "It was cold as hell, so it was hard. But if you still hit good shots the greens were soft enough that you can make plenty of birdies."

The cut line is expected to settle above par, reflecting the tournament's demanding nature and the testing conditions players face at the Copperhead Course.



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