The big questions flying around the Copperhead course at Innisbrook on Friday were: Who is Michael NeSmith and how the heck did he shoot 61 at the normally difficult Copperhead course at the Valspar Championship?
NeSmith is a surprise. He’s had only three career top 10s on the PGA Tour, has never won and in his last four outings, missed two cuts, tied for 55th in Los Angeles and tied for 25th at the Honda. Not exactly a formula for nearly shooting 60 on day two at the Valspar.
NeSmith came within a whisker of that 11-under par 60. His birdie putt at the 18th looked good all the way then scooted over the right lip, barely missing to finish his day’s work. Still, he shot a career round of 61 and tied Paddy Harrington’s 2012 course record in the process. He also set the 36-hole record at 14-under par. Sam Burns and Keegan Bradley held the previous mark at 12-under set last year.
His round featured a half-dozen birdies over the first nine holes then a birdie at the par five 11th and an eagle at the tough par five 14th followed by another birdie at the par three 15th. He’s in the house with rounds of 67-61 and he’s in unfamiliar territory at the top of the leader-board. Question going into moving day is how will he handle the pressure over the weekend?
Here’s how they’re lined up behind him:
Twelve-Under Par (130):
Adam Hadwin (64-66): One of the first round co-leaders, Hadwin won the Valspar five years ago. That was his only PGA Tour win. He seems to have a nice comfort level on the Copperhead layout. But it’s been so long since he’s won. Big names behind him.
Eleven-Under Par (131):
Sam Burns (64-66): The defending champion is off to a great start and Burns is a rising star on the PGA Tour. Has to be a favorite with the oddsmakers heading into the final 36 holes.
Scott Stallings (65-66): Has three career wins but hasn’t won since 2014 Farmers.
Ten-Under Par )132):
Justin Thomas (66-66): Highest ranked player in the hunt — number eight in the world. J.T. is just two back and both he and Burns have the most firepower and the two should be the favorites with the big crowds this weekend. J.T. needs a win.
Once again, there was minimal wind on Friday but NeSmith was five shots better than the second-best rounds of day two.
The greens were still receptive but that could change over the weekend as the winds are expected to show up — nothing strong but 10-12 miles per hour will make a difference and more sun will dry out the greens. They should firm up a bit for round three.
Thomas is the only one of the top 10 players in the field who’s in contention. World No. 2 Collin Morikawa is four-under (68-70) as is No. 10 Dustin Johnson (67-71). World No. 3 Viktor Hovland made the 36-hole cut on the number at three-under par (68-70).
As for NeSmith, his 61 formula? “I’m trying not to get ahead of myself. Just stay in the moment. I don’t think I wrote a score down on my card until I was finished.”
