The China Mail - Schenk grabs PGA Valspar lead with Spieth lurking

The 31-year-old American, who shared the 18-hole lead, was on seven-under 135 after 36 holes at Innisbrook's Copperhead course in Palm Harbor, Florida.

"It really couldn't have been a ton better with the amount of putts I made," Schenk said. "We're doing a really good job managing the courses."

Countryman Kramer Hickok, chasing his first PGA crown like Schenk, was second on 136 after a second 68 in windy conditions.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Valspar champion, fired a 70 to share third on 137 with fellow Americans Cody Gribble and Davis Riley plus England's Tommy Fleetwood.

"Kind of an off day on approaching the greens, hit pretty rusty wedges," Spieth said.

"To shoot one-under on this golf course in the wind is a good score so I feel good about my position going into the weekend."

Schenk made a birdie-birdie start, blasting out of a bunker to seven feet and sinking the putt at the par-5 first hole then dropping his approach inside three feet to set up a tap-in at the second.

After a three-putt bogey on the third, Schenk answered with a 17-foot birdie putt at the par-5 fifth and added another birdie from 4 1/2 feet at the 12th before a closing bogey after finding a greenside bunker.

"I had better control of my golf ball," Schenk said. "Made a few putts, had some nice saves for par which really holds the round together.

"It was another one of those rounds that could have been even par. It wouldn't have been 5- or 6-under ever but we managed it well and very pleased with 2-under."

Schenk, whose best PGA finish was third at the 2021 Shriners Children's Open, is keeping busy before the birth of his son next month.

"Having a little baby boy here in about a month and a half," Schenk said. "So trying to make as many points as I can to take as much time off as I can and spend time with him and my wife, which will be very special."

Hickok birdied three par-5 holes and made two birdies on par-3 holes with putts from 30 feet at the fourth and just inside 40 feet at the 15th.

"I've been putting really nice," said Hickok. "Seeing the lines really well and hitting some good putts. I don't really feel like I'm playing that well tee to green but just keeping the ball in front of me and really scoring pretty well."

Spieth birdied the par-5 first, fifth and 11th holes but made bogeys at the par-3 eighth and par-4 10th.

"I drove the ball maybe the best of the year today. Gave myself a lot of chances with some wedges," Spieth said.

"Couldn't quite get my distance control down on some scoring clubs. But when the wind here is gusty like that and the green depths are so small, it gets really tricky."

- Patience and attitude -

Fleetwood, who shot 69, expects a tense weekend with storms forecast for Saturday.

"Patience and having a good attitude" will be vital, Fleetwood said. "Just hanging around and seeing what the day gives you."

Germany's Stephan Jaeger, an 18-hole co-leader, shot 72 to stand on 138 while American 18-hole co-leader Ryan Brehm was on 141 after a 75.

American Sam Burns, who shot 73 to stand seven adrift on 142, could become the first player to win the same PGA event three consecutive years since Steve Stricker at the 2009-2011 John Deere Classic.

J.Thompson--ThChM