"It kind of surprised me a little,” - Ryan Brehm holes an ace at the 2023 Valspar Championship
For Ryan Brehm, Thursday was a day to remember as he managed a 5-under 66 to take the lead at the 2023 Valspar Championship alongside Stephan Jaeger and Adam Schenk.
Brehm was asked after his impressive first round if he liked the Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course.
“No. I’m not comfortable out there at all, but I don’t think anybody is. Maybe Sam Burns. He’s won it a couple of times," Brehm was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour website. "Golf's not supposed to be easy, I don't think, and the course does a good job of making you think."
Although Ryan Brehm may not have liked playing on this course, it wasn't reflected in his game. He holed four birdies, all on the par-5 holes, and a brilliant hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole. The ball just bounced near the hole, which Brehm thought might have traveled too far.
"It landed almost at the hole and went in," Brehm said. "It kind of surprised me a little."
It was Brehm’s first ace on the PGA Tour and he was glad his wife was present to witness it. He said:
"We talk about(ace)all the time. She’s like, 'I’ve never seen you have one.'"
Last year, Brehm won his first title on the PGA Tour at the Puerto Rico Open, where his wife Chelsey was on his bag.
Ryan Brehm hadn't topped the leaderboard since his Puerto Rico Open win until Thursday.
"We've been grinding for a little while since then to try and find some good form again, and hopefully, it's been showing signs of good play," said Brehm.
Ryan Brehm leads at Valspar Championship alongside Stephan Jaegar and Adam Schenk
Ryan Brehm posted an impressive 5-under 66 at the 2023 Valspar Championship to take the lead on the first day. Along with Brehm, Stephan Jaeger and Adam Schenk were also tied at the top at Innisbrook, which is generally known for low scores.
The trio were followed by Jordan Spieth, who was back at the event after a five-year gap. He carded a bogey-free 4-under 67 on Day 1. Lucas Glover and Maverick McNealy were also placed in the T-4 alongside Spieth.
Spieth won the Valspar Championship in 2015, one of his most successful years where here emerged victorious at the Masters and US Open.
Tommy Fleetwood shot a 3-under 68, followed by Justin Thomas and back-to-back defending champion Sam Burns, who posted a 2-under 69 to sit at T-10.
U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick had a tough start at the Valspar Championship. His tee shot went out of play on the third hole. His third shot from the tee went into the water, costing him a penalty. He settle with adding 9 to his score, followed by two bogeys.
Fitzpatrick ended his first round at 3-over 74 and was placed at T-96 after Thursday's round. He is not in the best of form this season as he has failed to make a cut in three of his last five starts.