Now that we’ve learned how THE PLAYERS Championship delivered in its return to March, it’s time to see how those who competed in the PGA TOUR’s flagship event turn over – or is it hang over? – for the Valspar Championship. As of midday Monday, 87 of the 144 in the field at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club’s Copperhead Course made the trip from TPC Sawgrass. While there will be a more casual feel in the anchor leg of the Florida Swing outside Tampa, no one can let his guard down on what’s been the toughest or second-toughest par 71 among all non-majors in each of the last six seasons. No changes have been made to Copperhead since last year’s edition, but scroll past the ranking for analysis of what the field of 144 can expect, how Paul Casey extended a theme and more. Gary Woodland, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Branden Grace and Steve Stricker will be among the notables covered in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider. While Innisbrook Resort is only 165 air miles southwest of TPC Sawgrass, it might as well be on the other side of the planet. The 7,340-yard test is the unforgiving examination amid uncommon elevation change in the Sunshine State as compared to the risk-reward at essentially sea level of its predecessor on the schedule. In its third spin post-renovation, the Copperhead Course held firm with a scoring average of 71.968 last year. There’s just nowhere to hide or gain traction. Consider that among all courses in 2017-18, it ranked inside the top 15-most challenging in distance of all drives (fourth), fairways hit (15th), greens in regulation (third), proximity to the hole (T11) and putting: birdies-or-better (fifth). Even though there are four par 5s, they surrendered a stingy 4.78 scoring average, sixth-highest of all courses. The par 4s also ranked sixth (at 4.13), while the quintet of par 3s were no bargain, either, at 3.13, good for a tie for the 11th-hardest set. All of these analytics align with its recent history. If there’s a soft spot on the property, it’s around and on greens that are prepped to touch 12 feet on the Stimpmeter. Since the switch in 2016 to TifEeagle bermuda, which is overseeded for the tournament, Copperhead has been a pushover, at least relatively speaking, in terms of scrambling for pars and putting inside 10 feet. The trend enhances the value of hitting greens in regulation. It also rewards those with terrific short games. Adam Hadwin is known for being one of the best putters on TOUR, so it made sense when he broke through for his first title here in 2017. He finished the week inside the top 10 in both scrambling and bogey avoidance. Paul Casey defends this week after a similar performance. The Englishman ranked T68 in driving accuracy, T30 in piling up scoring opportunities and 15th in strokes gained: putting, but he made the putts count when necessary, finishing third in scrambling and co-leading the field in bogey avoidance. Embedded in Copperhead’s tip-to-tail toughness is The Snake Pit. It consists of the par-4 16th hole, the par-3 17th and the par-4 18th. Since the tournament debuted (in the fall) in 2000, none of the holes have averaged under par in any edition. Last year’s aggregate scoring average for the trio was 11.607. Casey scored 1 over for the week en route to his one-stroke victory at just 10-under 274. With overseeded rough extending three inches and higher, the moral of this matter is it would be poor to plan for a slingshot of a victory at the finish line. This is all about climbing the leaderboard early and course management coming home. This week’s experience should resemble what we already know. Aside from the occasional freshening but manageable breezes, Mother Nature is going to cooperate throughout. Gradually increasing daytime highs into the upper 70s are expected. A system that will bring rain is on the horizon, but it might not arrive until the tournament concludes. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
Power Rankings: Valspar Championship
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2nd Round 3 Balls – V. Norrman / D. Riley / C. Ramey | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Vincent Norrman | +160 |
Chad Ramey | +180 |
Davis Riley | +180 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – S. Theegala / J. Day / P. Harrington | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Sahith Theegala | +100 |
Jason Day | +150 |
Padraig Harrington | +400 |
2nd Round Birdies – Aaron Rai | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Under 3.5 | -135 |
Over 3.5 | -105 |
2nd Round Birdies – Alex Noren | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Over 3.5 | -120 |
Under 3.5 | -120 |
2nd Round Birdies – Beau Hossler | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Over 3.5 | -105 |
Under 3.5 | -135 |
2nd Round Birdies – Mackenzie Hughes | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Over 3.5 | -120 |
Under 3.5 | -120 |
2nd Round Birdies – Sahith Theegala | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Under 3.5 | +115 |
Over 3.5 | -155 |
2nd Round Birdies – Si Woo Kim | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Under 3.5 | +105 |
Over 3.5 | -140 |
2nd Round Birdies – Scottie Scheffler | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Under 4.5 | +100 |
Over 4.5 | -130 |
2nd Round Birdies – Tony Finau | |
Type: 2nd Round Birdies – Status: OPEN | |
Over 3.5 | -140 |
Under 3.5 | +105 |
2nd Round Match-Up – W. Furr vs D. Riley | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Davis Riley | -120 |
Wilson Furr | +100 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – K. Kitayama / J.J. Spaun / C. Champ | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Kurt Kitayama | +130 |
Cameron Champ | +180 |
J J Spaun | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Hughes / B. Horschel / T. Hoge | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Mackenzie Hughes | +160 |
Tom Hoge | +160 |
Billy Horschel | +200 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Hughes vs P. Rodgers | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Mackenzie Hughes | -125 |
Patrick Rodgers | +105 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Walker / P. Rodgers / A. Smalley | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Patrick Rodgers | +100 |
Alex Smalley | +180 |
Jimmy Walker | +320 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – H. Buckley / R. Shelton / T. Alexander | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Robby Shelton | +160 |
Tyson Alexander | +160 |
Hayden Buckley | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – A. Long / J. Vegas / A. Noren | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Alex Noren | -110 |
Jhonattan Vegas | +210 |
Adam Long | +300 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Lashley / S. Ryder / Z. Blair | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Sam Ryder | +135 |
Nate Lashley | +170 |
Zac Blair | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – C. Phillips / C. Gotterup / H. Springer | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Chandler Phillips | +160 |
Chris Gotterup | +160 |
Hayden Springer | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Silverman / P. Barjon / K. Ventura | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ben Silverman | +100 |
Paul Barjon | +220 |
Kris Ventura | +250 |
2nd Round Match-Up – C. Gotterup vs K. Dougherty | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Kevin Dougherty | -120 |
Chris Gotterup | +100 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – E. Barnes / T. Crowe / W. Furr | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Erik Barnes | +160 |
Wilson Furr | +160 |
Trace Crowe | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Lindheim / A. Dumont de Chassart / K. Dougherty | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Kevin Dougherty | +160 |
Nicholas Lindheim | +175 |
Adrien Dumont de Chassart | +185 |
Ford Championship | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Lilia Vu | +700 |
Nelly Korda | +750 |
Carlota Ciganda | +1000 |
Hyo Joo Kim | +1000 |
Celine Boutier | +1100 |
Gabriela Ruffels | +1400 |
Alison Lee | +2000 |
Brooke Henderson | +2200 |
Pajaree Anannarukarn | +2200 |
Jenny Shin | +3500 |
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2nd Round 3-Balls – L. Vu / N. Hataoka / A. Furue | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ayaka Furue | +175 |
Lilia Vu | +175 |
Nasa Hataoka | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – V. Perez / H. Endycott / E. Gonzalez | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Victor Perez | +110 |
Harrison Endycott | +180 |
Emilio Gonzalez | +275 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. MacIntyre / R. Campos / R. Pereda | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Robert MacIntyre | +120 |
Rafael Campos | +155 |
Raul Pereda | +300 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – L. Grant / H.J. Kim / R. Zhang | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Hyo Joo Kim | +175 |
Linn Grant | +175 |
Rose Zhang | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Campillo / R. Hoey / R. Gibson | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Rico Hoey | +130 |
Jorge Campillo | +140 |
Rhein Gibson | +320 |
2nd Round Match-Up – D. Ghim vs C. Kim | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Doug Ghim | -120 |
Chan Kim | +100 |
The Galleri Classic | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Steve Stricker | +350 |
Steven Alker | +650 |
Miguel Angel Jimenez | +1100 |
Jerry Kelly | +1200 |
Stephen Ames | +1400 |
Ernie Els | +1600 |
Alex Cejka | +1800 |
Brian Gay | +2000 |
KJ Choi | +2500 |
Kevin Sutherland | +2500 |
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1st Round 3-Balls – R. Pampling / D. Barron / S. Flesch | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Doug Barron | +140 |
Rod Pampling | +150 |
Steve Flesch | +260 |
1st Round 3-Balls – R. Goosen / F. Couples / J. Leonard | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Retief Goosen | +115 |
Justin Leonard | +220 |
Fred Couples | +230 |
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Stricker / D. Clarke / S. Alker | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Steve Stricker | +105 |
Steven Alker | +150 |
Darren Clarke | +400 |
1st Round 3-Balls – D. Toms / M.A. Jimenez / J. Furyk | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Miguel Angel Jimenez | -105 |
David Toms | +180 |
Jim Furyk | +350 |
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Ames / E. Els / T. Jaidee | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stephen Ames | +150 |
Ernie Els | +160 |
Thongchai Jaidee | +220 |
2nd Round Match-Up – L. List v T. Detry | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Luke List | -115 |
Thomas Detry | -105 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – G. Higgo / R. Werenski / B. Burgoon | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Garrick Higgo | +130 |
Bronson Burgoon | +200 |
Richy Werenski | +210 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Hossler / S. Jaeger / C. Young | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stephan Jaeger | +145 |
Beau Hossler | +150 |
Carson Young | +250 |
2nd Round Six-Shooter – Group A – S. Jaeger / A. Bhatia / B. Hossler / A. Novak / A. Rai / C. Davis | |
Type: 2nd Round Six-Shooter – Status: OPEN | |
Stephan Jaeger | +350 |
Beau Hossler | +400 |
Aaron Rai | +425 |
Akshay Bhatia | +425 |
Andrew Novak | +425 |
Cameron Davis | +500 |
2nd Round Match-Up – N. Dunlap vs G. Higgo | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Garrick Higgo | -110 |
Nick Dunlap | -110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – B. Hossler vs A. Rai | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Aaron Rai | -110 |
Beau Hossler | -110 |
1st Round 3-Balls – J. Kelly / V. Singh / J. Durant | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Jerry Kelly | +105 |
Vijay Singh | +225 |
Joe Durant | +240 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Hubbard v J. Dahmen | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Mark Hubbard | -115 |
Joel Dahmen | -105 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. NeSmith v P. Coody | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Matt NeSmith | -115 |
Pierceson Coody | -105 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Montgomery / H. Hall / R. Fox | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Montgomery | +150 |
Ryan Fox | +160 |
Harry Hall | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – A. Baddeley / J. Teater / D. Wu | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Dylan Wu | +140 |
Aaron Baddeley | +170 |
Josh Teater | +230 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – C. Davis / C. Hadley / A. Rai | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Aaron Rai | +130 |
Cam Davis | +180 |
Chesson Hadley | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Hahn / J. Lower / S. Stevens | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Sam Stevens | +150 |
Justin Lower | +160 |
James Hahn | +225 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Svensson vs C. Davis | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Adam Svensson | -120 |
Cam Davis | +100 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – P. Malnati / S. Scheffler / W. Zalatoris | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | -175 |
Will Zalatoris | +260 |
Peter Malnati | +430 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Hardy / T. Moore / C. Reavie | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Moore | +110 |
Nick Hardy | +210 |
Chez Reavie | +240 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Bhatia vs P. Malnati | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Akshay Bhatia | -130 |
Peter Malnati | +110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – T. Moore vs J. Highsmith | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Moore | -160 |
Joe Highsmith | +135 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Brehm / K. Kisner / S. Cink | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stewart Cink | +105 |
Ryan Brehm | +220 |
Kevin Kisner | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Knapp / A. Bhatia / A. Svensson | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Akshay Bhatia | +160 |
Jake Knapp | +160 |
Adam Svensson | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Dunlap / L. List / K.H. Lee | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
K H Lee | +150 |
Luke List | +160 |
Nick Dunlap | +230 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Wallace / G. Woodland / B. Snedeker | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Matt Wallace | +120 |
Gary Woodland | +140 |
Brandt Snedeker | +350 |
2nd Round Match-Up – K.H. Lee vs S.H. Kim | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
K H Lee | -130 |
S H Kim | +110 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Laird / A. Cook / M. NeSmith | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Matt NeSmith | +150 |
Martin Laird | +160 |
Austin Cook | +220 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – K. Mitchell / D. Ghim / G. Sigg | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell | +140 |
Doug Ghim | +170 |
Greyson Sigg | +225 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Meissner vs G. Sigg | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Greyson Sigg | -130 |
Mac Meissner | +110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Novak vs T. Pendrith | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Novak | -125 |
Taylor Pendrith | +105 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – L. Maguire / X. Lin / B. Tardy | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Xiyu Lin | +130 |
Leona Maguire | +160 |
Bailey Tardy | +275 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Dahmen / L. Griffin / K. Chappell | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Joel Dahmen | +110 |
Lanto Griffin | +210 |
Kevin Chappell | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Wu / T. Detry / A. Novak | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Novak | +150 |
Thomas Detry | +150 |
Brandon Wu | +240 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – M. Lee / B. Henderson / R. Yin | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Brooke Henderson | +175 |
Minjee Lee | +175 |
Ruoning Yin | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Meissner / R. McCormick / C. Hammer | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Mac Meissner | +130 |
Cole Hammer | +200 |
Ryan McCormick | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – Parker Coody / Pierceson Coody / J. Bridgeman | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Parker Coody | +140 |
Jacob Bridgeman | +150 |
Pierceson Coody | +260 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – C. Hull / L. Thompson / A. Lee | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Alison Lee | +145 |
Charley Hull | +160 |
Lexi Thompson | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – D. Skinns / T. Whitney / S. Bennett | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
David Skinns | +175 |
Sam Bennett | +175 |
Tom Whitney | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Xiong / M. Greyserman / P. Fishburn | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Max Greyserman | +135 |
Norman Xiong | +185 |
Patrick Fishburn | +210 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Tosti v T. Whitney | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Alejandro Tosti | -110 |
Tom Whitney | -110 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Olesen / J. Highsmith / D. van der Walt | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Thorbjorn Olesen | +120 |
Joe Highsmith | +140 |
Dawie Van Der Walt | +350 |
Major Specials 2024 | |
Type: To Win A Major 2024 – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +105 |
Jon Rahm | +225 |
Rory McIlroy | +225 |
Viktor Hovland | +225 |
Brooks Koepka | +350 |
Ludvig Aberg | +350 |
Patrick Cantlay | +400 |
Collin Morikawa | +450 |
Justin Thomas | +450 |
Wyndham Clark | +450 |
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The Masters 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +450 |
Rory McIlroy | +1100 |
Jon Rahm | +1200 |
Brooks Koepka | +1800 |
Jordan Spieth | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Hideki Matsuyama | +2500 |
Joaquin Niemann | +2500 |
Justin Thomas | +2500 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2500 |
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PGA Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +700 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Viktor Hovland | +1400 |
Brooks Koepka | +1600 |
Bryson DeChambeau | +2000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2000 |
Wyndham Clark | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2500 |
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US Open 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +700 |
Rory McIlroy | +800 |
Jon Rahm | +900 |
Viktor Hovland | +1000 |
Cameron Smith | +1600 |
Brooks Koepka | +1800 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2000 |
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The Open Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +800 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Viktor Hovland | +1100 |
Brooks Koepka | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2000 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Jordan Spieth | +2500 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2500 |
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Solheim Cup 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -140 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1200 |
Ryder Cup 2025 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -135 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1000 |