PALM HARBOR – Four players, including defending champion Sam Burns, share the first-round lead, tying the most in Valspar Championship history (2014). Burns holds the best first-round position by a defending champion in Valspar Championship history and he became the second defending champion to hold the first-round lead/co-lead in a Tour event this season. The other? Kevin Na, Sony Open in Hawaii.
Co-leaders Burns (2021) and Adam Hadwin (2017) seek to become the fourth multiple winners of the event.
Dustin Johnson opened with a 4-under 67 in his 300th PGA Tour start while Lee Hodges became the first player during the Shotlink era to birdie the first five holes of a round at the event.
After battling the weather and sub-par rounds a week ago, 89 players posted under-par scores in the first round, a Valspar Championship record upending the 76 in 2012.
Valspar Leaderboard After 18 Holes:
Jhonattan Vegas 64 (-7)
Sam Burns 64 (-7)
Adam Hadwin 64 (-7)
David Lipsky 64 (-7)
Four players 65 (-6)
Full Leaderboard (link)