Keith Mitchell encountered a challenging day at the Valspar Championship, with the wind playing a significant role in his performance. Mitchell commenced his round with bogeys on the first two holes, yet managed to rally with an impressive 32 on the front nine. Despite his early recovery, Mitchell could not escape the difficulties of the course, eventually finishing with a score of 70 after dropping shots, especially on the par 3s.
Mitchell's struggles continued as he three-putted from 18 feet for bogey on the 17th hole and made a 5-foot birdie on the 18th. He then faced strong winds that pushed him into the right rough on the uphill ninth hole. This resulted in another bogey, reflecting the challenges faced by many players on a day when only 21 participants managed to break 70.
"It's crazy to say you left some out there when it's windy," said Keith Mitchell, expressing his frustration with the unpredictable conditions.
Mitchell's mixed feelings about Innisbrook were evident. While he holds an affection for the course, it has also been the site of difficult memories for him. He finished with two three-putt bogeys, including one from 18 feet at No. 17. The sting of being at 6 under, positioned well in the fairway on the par-5 fifth just 90 yards from the hole, only to settle for a 67, was palpable.
Other players at 67 found success by rallying late in their rounds, showcasing the challenging yet rewarding nature of the course. Among them was Jaeger, who birdied his last two holes and is set to defend his title at the upcoming Houston Open. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas managed to recover from a difficult start, finishing bogey-free on the back nine to complete his round with a score of 73.
Kevin Velo, who was still on the course when play was suspended due to darkness, had the potential to be another player breaking 70. His experience mirrored Mitchell's, as he too understood the challenges posed by the windy conditions and the tricky layout of Innisbrook.
Jordan Spieth, a past winner at Innisbrook, had a two-shot lead going into the final round last year. However, he too struggled during a turbulent final round where he didn't make birdie until the 14th hole and shot 77.
Mitchell acknowledged that mistakes are part of the game, especially under such demanding circumstances.
"I don't want to say that because you're going to make mistakes, you're going to hit shots that you wish you could have over or putts that you had over," Mitchell reflected on his performance.
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