Valspar Championship: Dahmen’s Resilience and Weekend Outlook

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Joel Dahmen’s week at the Valspar Championship has been a testament to perseverance. After shooting a 3-over 75 at the Monday qualifier, leaving him nine shots outside of earning a spot in the field, Dahmen received a call Tuesday night informing him of Max Greyserman’s withdrawal and his subsequent inclusion in the tournament.

A Rollercoaster Week

Dahmen capitalized on the opportunity, carding a second-round 70 at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course to make the cut. “The game humbles you quickly but also can recenter you and ground you,” Dahmen said after his round on Friday. Despite mixed results this season, including top-10 finishes at the Farmers Insurance Open and Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, and recent missed cuts at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship, Dahmen remains focused.

Friday’s Round and Key Moments

Starting on the back nine in Round 2, Dahmen played 10 consecutive pars before a bogey on No. 2 brought him to 2-over par. He then rallied with birdies on Nos. 4 and 7, fueled by precise approaches. “The grind of my last seven really stayed patient, stuck to the game plan,” Dahmen explained. “As much as I do love my family, I didn’t want another weekend with them… So just really happy with the grind.”

Looking Ahead to the Weekend

Dahmen views making the cut as a crucial step toward securing full status for the 2027 season. “It’s going to be nice to have a weekend tee time,” he said. “A golf course like this makes it extra important to make a cut.”

Other Notable Players

Justin Thomas also made the cut, rebounding from a first-round 72 with a second-round 69. Thomas is building momentum after a T8 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship following his return from back surgery. Brooks Koepka impressed with a back-nine 67, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and gaining strokes on the greens. Keegan Bradley also secured a weekend spot, whereas Sahith Theegala and Max Homa missed the cut.

Notable Missed Cuts

Sahith Theegala, who had accumulated three top 10s and five top 25s this season, struggled with his approach play and short game, resulting in his first missed cut of the season. Ben Griffin missed his third straight cut, and Wyndham Clark also fell short by one shot.

Defending champion Viktor Hovland also missed the cut, shooting a 4-over 75 after contending at THE PLAYERS Championship the previous week.