Valspar Championship Round 3: Your Ultimate Viewing Guide
Alright, golf fans, it’s moving day. The 2026 Valspar Championship is heating up, and Saturday’s third round at the brutal Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is where the real drama unfolds. If you want to catch every crucial putt, every booming drive, and maybe even a spectacular collapse or two, you need to know exactly when and where to tune in. We’re talking TV times, streaming schedules, and those all-important tee times. No messing around. Let’s get right to it.
Who's Leading the Pack?
After the dust settled on Friday, it’s Sungjae Im who’s sitting pretty at the top, holding a one-shot lead over David Lipsky. Im fired a solid 69 to go with his opening 64, putting him at nine under par. Lipsky is hot on his heels at eight under, and then you’ve got Doug Ghim and Chandler Blanchet lurking just two shots back. Im’s looking for his third PGA Tour win, and first since 2021. Lipsky? He’s still chasing that maiden Tour victory. This is exactly the kind of situation that makes Saturday so damn interesting. Can Im hold them off? Will Lipsky finally break through? Or will someone else make a charge?
Saturday TV Coverage: When and Where to Watch
You’ve got options, and thankfully, they’re pretty straightforward. For those who prefer the traditional route, the Golf Channel is your starting point. They’ll be kicking things off with coverage from 1 p.m. ET. But don’t get too comfortable, because NBC is stepping in to take over the main broadcast from 3 p.m. ET and will run through 6 p.m. ET. That’s your prime-time golf viewing window for Saturday. Make sure your cable or satellite package includes these channels, or you’ll be left staring at a blank screen.
Now, if you’re a cord-cutter or just like having more access, here’s where things get even better. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is the place to be for comprehensive streaming. They’re going live bright and early at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. That’s right, before the TV coverage even thinks about starting, you can be watching. And it’s not just a single feed; they’ll be offering featured group coverage and dedicated feeds for specific holes. If you want to follow your favorite players or just see the most dramatic moments unfold, this is your ticket. You can catch all the action live, so you won’t miss a single swing from the early starters to the final groups.
Featured Groups and Holes: Deep Dive Coverage
For the hardcore fans who want to track specific players or holes, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is invaluable. They’ll be highlighting groups that are likely to make noise on the leaderboard. Imagine following Sungjae Im and David Lipsky all day long, or keeping a close eye on Ghim and Blanchet as they try to close the gap. Beyond just the groups, they often focus on pivotal holes where birdies are made or bogeys are born. This kind of granular coverage is what separates the casual viewer from the true golf aficionado. It’s a fantastic way to get an in-depth look at how the tournament is shaping up, without having to sift through endless replays.
Saturday Tee Times: Your Full Schedule
This is the nitty-gritty. Knowing when your favorite players are teeing off is crucial. The first groups will be heading out early, so you’ll want to be ready. Remember, these times are all Eastern Time (ET). Here’s the full rundown for Saturday’s third round at the Copperhead Course:
- 7:35 a.m. – John Parry, John VanDerLaan
- 7:45 a.m. – Andrew Novak, A.J. Ewart
- 7:55 a.m. – Patrick Rodgers, Davis Thompson
- 8:05 a.m. – Matti Schmid, Mackenzie Hughes
- 8:15 a.m. – Davis Chatfield, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- 8:25 a.m. – Kevin Streelman, Vince Whaley
- 8:35 a.m. – Stefan Jaeger, Dylan Wu
- 8:45 a.m. – Michael Kim, Bud Cauley
- 9 a.m. – Keegan Bradley, Lee Hodges
- 9:10 a.m. – Justin Lower, Denny McCarthy
- 9:20 a.m. – Isaiah Salinda, Jimmy Stanger
- 9:30 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Ryo Hisatsune
- 9:40 a.m. – Rasmus Hojgaard, Joel Dahmen
- 9:50 a.m. – Henrik Norlander, Chad Ramey
- 10 a.m. – Karl Vilips, Kevin Roy
- 10:10 a.m. – Matt Wallace, Ricky Castillo
- 10:25 a.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Takumi Kanaya
- 10:35 a.m. – Kevin Yu, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
- 10:45 a.m. – Sam Ryder, Justin Thomas
- 10:55 a.m. – Andrew Putnam, Kensei Hirata
- 11:05 a.m. – Pierceson Coody, Matthieu Pavon
- 11:15 a.m. – Chandler Phillips, Xander Schauffele
- 11:25 a.m. – Adrien Dumont de Chassart, S.H. Kim
- 11:35 a.m. – Seamus Power, Blades Brown
- 11:50 a.m. – Billy Horschel, Tom Kim
- 12:00 p.m. – Hank Lebioda, Patrick Cantlay
- 12:10 p.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Alejandro Tosti
- 12:20 p.m. – David Skinns, David Ford
- 12:30 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Rico Hoey
- 12:40 p.m. – Corey Conners, Nicolai Hojgaard
- 12:50 p.m. – Danny Walker, Brooks Koepka
- 1:00 p.m. – Jacob Bridgeman, Tony Finau
- 1:15 p.m. – Brandt Snedeker, Gary Woodland
- 1:25 p.m. – Jordan Smith, Alex Smalley
- 1:35 p.m. – Marco Penge, Matt Fitzpatrick
- 1:45 p.m. – Doug Ghim, Chandler Blanchet
- 1:55 p.m. – Sungjae Im, David Lipsky
See that last group? That’s your projected showdown for the lead. Im and Lipsky go out at 1:55 p.m. ET. You’ll want to have your eyes glued to the screen for that one. It’s going to be intense.
The Copperhead Course: A True Test
Let’s not forget where all this is happening. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is no walk in the park. It’s known for its tight fairways, challenging green complexes, and those infamous “Snake Pit” holes (15, 16, and 17) which can absolutely make or break a round. It demands accuracy off the tee and precise iron play. Guys who are struggling with their game will find this course unforgiving. Expect to see some lead changes and maybe even a few players fall out of contention simply because they couldn’t tame the Copperhead. It’s a course that rewards smart play and punishes mistakes. If you’re looking for a true test of golf, this is it.
What to Expect on Saturday
Moving day is always a mixed bag. Some players thrive under the pressure, making bold moves up the leaderboard. Others crumble, letting nerves get the best of them. With Sungjae Im and David Lipsky in the final pairing, we’re set for a classic duel. But don’t count out the players just a couple of shots back. Doug Ghim and Chandler Blanchet have the opportunity to put some serious pressure on the leaders early in the day. And you always have to watch out for those guys who fly under the radar and put together a low round. Guys like Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, and Tony Finau are always threats, even if they aren’t leading right now. Their experience alone makes them dangerous.
The weather can also play a huge factor at Innisbrook. Coastal Florida conditions can change in an instant. A sudden gust of wind or a brief shower can completely alter the complexion of a round. So, keep an eye on the forecast. It might just add another layer of drama to an already exciting Saturday.
Don't Miss the Action
So there you have it. Everything you need to know to follow the 2026 Valspar Championship’s third round. Whether you’re watching on TV via Golf Channel and NBC, or streaming live with PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, make sure you’re tuned in. The leaderboard is tight, the course is tough, and the stakes are high. This is where dreams are made and hearts are broken. Get your popcorn ready, because Saturday at Innisbrook is going to be a wild ride.
For more information on the PGA Tour and upcoming events, check out the official PGA Tour website.