2024 Valspar Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis
By: Derek Clements | Mon 18 Mar 2024
Whisper it, but the countdown to The Masters is well and truly on. This week sees the Valspar Championship, which ends the Florida Swing, and the world’s best golfers are now doing whatever they feel they need to in order to get their games in shape for Augusta National.
After The Players Championship, several big names have chosen to take the week off, but their is still a very strong field at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.
Among those who will be hoping to win are Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, who join defending champion Taylor Moore, two-time winner Sam Burns as well as Cameron Young and Akshay Bhatia.
Young is fast reaching the point where he will be pulling his hair out as he continues his long wait for that elusive first PGA Tour title.
Schauffele will be making his second appearance at the Valspar, having tied for 12th in 2022. He is the reigning Olympic champion and is a seven-time PGA Tour winner.
Spieth is returning to one of his favourite venues. He won in 2015 and was tied third in 2023. He is a three-time major winner and has 13 PGA Tour wins. He is also a player in need of a good week.
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 by Jordan Spieth, in 2016 by Charl Schwartzel, in 2017 by Adam Hadwin, in 2018 and 2019 by Paul Casey, in 2021 and 2022 by Sam Burns and last year by Taylor Moore. There was no tournament in 2020 - it was cancelled because of the global pandemic.
The Course:
The Copperhead Course at TPC Innisbrook is a par 71 measuring 7,340 yards. Famous for the fearsome Snake Pit, the course features tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain and a great deal of water.
Form Guide:
I expect Jordan Spieth to draw on some positive memories from past performances here.
To Win:
Jordan Spieth. Has won here before
Five to Follow:
Jordan Spieth. Never a dull moment
Cameron Young. When will the breakthrough come?
Joel Dahmen. Has a point to prove
Thorbjorn Olesen. A chance to show what he can do
Ben Martin. Fabulous ball striker
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Tags: PGA Tour Golf Previews FedEx Cup
