After the splashes at Sawgrass, the PGA Tour now heads to the “Snake Pit.” The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is the setting for Valspar Championship. Let’s break down this week’s venue and field to find the winner of this week’s stop in the Florida swing.
Painting a Winner at The Valspar
This week’s Florida swing rolls on to the Tampa area following the continued dominance of Scottie Scheffler. Luckily for the rest of the Tour, he’s taking this week off to give others a chance. The Valspar has been held at Innisbrook for the entirety of its 20+ year existence. It’s been a slow but steady growth for this event’s prestige on the schedule. With the first major a few weeks away, it’s time to find form for the majors. So who will crack the code at Innisbrook and start their own winning streak like Scottie did?
Last March, it was Taylor Moore who slithered by to a one-shot victory for his maiden win on the PGA Tour. His 10 under-par total reiterated that this track is no birdie-fest by any means. The Snake Pit finish and the dramatic par four 18th up the hill make for exciting conclusions to player’s rounds. Add in three years of exemption on the PGA Tour and a Masters invite, and you have significant value for winning this week.
The Deets
Where to watch: The Golf Channel and NBC have us covered, and you can brace for all of the Snake references as players make their way to the back nine.
Why to watch: The Valspar has a knack for great finishes, and there are plenty of big names in the field still looking for their first win of 2024.
Purse: $8.4 million
Winner’s Share: $1.51 million
The Valspar: Don’t Get Bit
I had the privilege of playing the Copperhead Course years ago, back when I had some game. I’ll attest that it holds up as a lush Florida test that is riddled with literal and metaphorical Snake Traps. My best memories are the surprising amount of undulation on the greens and fairway contours (for Florida). Add in the devilish placement of bunkers on the back nine and you have a dog of a track. The 7300+ yard track even features elevation change and an appropriately dubbed “Snake Pit.” Holes 16 to 18 that can bite off a few strokes in a hurry and ruin anyone’s scorecard or chances of winning this week.
There’s no Scottie Scheffler in the field but the top line of favorites are impressive. At 8/1 Xander Schauffele was contending all week at Sawgrass and is the betting favorite. He’s followed in the books by Sam Burns (11/1), Justin Thomas (12/1), and Jordan Spieth (12/1), who has contended here before. So who breaks through and tames the Snake Pit this Sunday? Let’s discuss what to keep in mind as we lock our picks in.
The Valspar: What To Consider
- Who’s hot and trending: Recent high finishes, top-10 streaks, and consistent play are never a bad thing.
- Horses for courses: Players love certain courses, and course familiarity and experience are invaluable in the field of the world’s best at the PLAYERS.
- What the numbers tell you this week: I’m far from analytical, there’s always a tournament darling or two scattered across the golf talk stratosphere that are great statistical fits to play well.
- Intangibles: This allows for a theater of the mind; it’s that mysterious optimism surrounding a player that feels “due” to break through.
Outright Picks To Win The Valspar Championship
Jordan Spieth – 12/1 – Always a wild and wacky ride betting Jordan, coming off a t-3 here last year. Buckle up!
Nick Tay
lor – 35/1 – He’s had a productive Florida swing and finished top 10 here last year.
Keith Mitchell – 40/1 – An accurate driver that should keep it on the rails this week.
Doug Ghim – 70/1 – Riding the wave of a nice week at Sawgrass once again.
Adam Schenk – 100/1 – Last year’s runner-up going off at some tasty longshot odds.
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Alex Lauzon is a podcast host, live broadcaster, analyst and golf-betting extraordinaire for the Course of Life brand. Actively creating content across social media and video platforms on golf, sports betting and pop culture.
