Blog#319VL Valspar Championship MARCH 19-21, 2026

Blog#319VL Valspar Championship MARCH 19-21, 2026

Innisbrook Copperhead Course

Palm Harbor FL Par 71

Purse $9.1M +400 +4%

HISTORY Tournament started as the Tampa Bay Classic in 2000 and is famous for

“The Snake Pit”. Last year’s winner was Viktor Hovland by 1 stroke, after

Justin Thomas bogied 2 of the last 3 holes. Jacob Bridgeman was 1st for 1st 3 RDs.

FAVORITES

Xander Schauffele 11/1 Could win after his strong performance at The Players.

Viktor Hovland 16/1 Very difficult to repeat, his game not there yet to win, last 2 tourneys #13.

Matt Fitzpatrick 19/1 Would have been a good pick but withdrew.

Justin Thomas 20/1 8th @ Players, RDs of 68,68,72,72, after +14 cut, last place at AP.

Akshay Bhatia 22/1 Wins AP in a playoff after making up 3 stroke last 6 holes, 13th at Players.

Jacob Bridgeman 22/1 With these odds, a good pick.

Jordan Spieth 25/1 Getting better and better each week but not enough to win yet.

Ben Griffin 25/1 Has had an awful year. I don’t think he is ready to win.

Patrick Cantlay 25/1 He hangs around top 25 but I don’t think he can win.

Brooks Koepka 27/1 Playing close to home, played well last week #13, may be his time.

Corey Conners 27/1 Another who played well last week #13.

LONGSHOTS This is one that anyone can will and probably will be an unknown.

Blades Brown 500/1 Gets another PGA start at 18 but I doubt if he can win on the PGA yet.

Pierceson Coody 60/1 He may surprise sometime this year.

Max Greyserman 60/1 I keep picking him as a long shot but has not come close yet.

MY WINNER Jacob Bridgeman, won Genesis, #8PB, 5Players, top 20 in all of his 7 events.

THE SNAKEPIT

#16 MOCCASIN 460 Yard Par 4 One of the hardest holes on the PGA TOUR. Dogleg right with narrow fairway bordered by water on right and trees on left and an elevated green.

#17 RATTLER 215 yard Par 3 has the largest green on the course.

#18 COPPERHEAD 445 Yard Par 4 pictured below bunkers on both sides.

COMMENTARY

This and the next 2 are tournaments that may not be included in the future set up for the PGA’s new schedule. It is to start around the end of January and go thru early September with Ryder & Presidents Cup in late September. The plan is for the 4 majors and Players and an increase from 8 to 16 signature events. That’s 21 tournaments in 30 weekends for all of the top players to compete. What happens in the other 9? There is no way that all of the top players will play in 21 events and then a few more. The reality is that there is no need for star studded events every weekend, and while TV ratings may suffer in the off weeks, there enough good players to put on quality events with up and coming and non top 100 veterans to have a viewable and well attended event for those 9 weeks.