The PGA Tour is back in action this week for the Valspar Championship. The tournament is being held at the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort. Home of the “Snake Pit,” where the tournament can be won or lost, the Copperhead Course is a par 71 at just over 7,300 yards. Only 5 of the top 25 in the world will be here this week, but there are several major winners in the field, highlighted by Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. The defending champion is Sam Burns, who has actually won this event two years in a row at -17. We are looking for elite ball strikers this week that aren’t afraid to get hot with the putter!
Player to Fade:
Doug Ghim has really struggled thus far this season. He has only made 4/10 cuts so far, and has not shown any form that he has his A game yet this season. He ranks 212 in the FedEx Cup right now, and he continues to lose strokes around the green, as well as putting. The putter has plagued him his whole career so far, and I think that will continue into the Valspar. Look for him to miss the cut!
Dark Horse:
Joel Dahmen, who was recently featured on the Netflix documentary Full Swing, has been fairly solid to start the season. He has made 9/12 cuts this season with three top 10s. He ranks 43rd in the FedEx Cup, and gained strokes in most statistical categories at THE PLAYERS this past weekend. I’m not saying Joel is going to win, but look for him to be around on the weekend!
Top 10:
Adam Hadwin has had a very solid start to his PGA Tour season. He had made 10/11 cuts, and has three top 10s early on in the season. He’s coming off a top 15 at THE PLAYERS, as well as a top 10 at the Waste Management, and he seems to be really rounding into form. He has been gaining strokes in nearly every event this season off the tee and with his irons, but has had recent struggles with the putter. If he keeps his ball striking up, and makes a few more putts I look for him to get another top 10, and maybe even contend for the win.
Winner:
Jordan Spieth is very well known on tour, but has yet to win this year. He’s made 7/9 cuts, and he’s coming off a top 5 at the API, as well as a top 20 at THE PLAYERS Championship. The encouraging sign for Jordan coming into Valspar is that he has been gaining strokes in every category. The surprising part is that he’s struggling with the putter, which has made him so much money over the years, as well as a multiple Major winner. If he continues the good trend with his ball striking this week, and starts rolling the putter like we all know he can, then look for him to be in the winner’s circle this weekend!