“It’s still definitely in the back of my mind and I want it to stay there hopefully for the rest of my career to just motivate me.”
—
PALMHARBOR,Fla.–KeithMitchellhassomeunfinishedbusinessattheCopperheadCourseatInnisbrookResort.He’sofftoagoodstartatthe2025ValsparChampionship,makingsevenbirdies,includingfourinarow,onThursdaytosharetheearlyfirst-roundleadat4-under67withJacobBridgemanandStephanJaeger.
“IwishIcouldusetoday’sroundasSunday’slastyear,that’dbenice,”Mitchelljoked.“IhavealotofgoodmemorieshereandjusttohaveonebadroundwhereIwasnervousorwantedittoobadly,it’snicetogetbackhereandhaveafreshstart.”
Mitchell,33,wasreferringtoayearagowhenhewasthe54-holeleaderatthetournamentbutshotafinal-round77andtumbledtoT-17.
“Istillthinkaboutit,”hesaid.“It’sstilldefinitelyinthebackofmymindandIwantittostaytherehopefullyfortherestofmycareertojustmotivatemetorememberwhatitfeelslikewhenyouletthosekindofnervesgetinyourway.”
Hecalledlastyear’sfailuretoclosethedealsomethinghewa
