Valspar Championship - Preview

Valspar Championship

Copperhead Course, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor, FL
Thursday Mar 10th - Sunday Mar 13th, 2016

by David Barwise

 



Photo: www.10best.com

The past 12 months have been a whirlwind of birdies, bagging majors, and big paycheques. And this is where it all started last year for Jordan Spieth. 

The PGA Tour returns this week to the Copperhead Course in Tampa Bay, yet another tricky Floridian course where accuracy off the tee is essential. After last week’s trip to the lengthy and unforgiving Doral, the shorter hitters have a much better chance of competing this time around.

Of course, this means that Spieth is expected to be in the mix. However, it’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure. So far, although Spieth has been expected to perform, there has been no pressurised expectation for a win.

 

Photo: golf.about.com

But there is this week.

Although there are many big the names in the field, there is no McIlroy. No Day. No Fowler, DJ, Bubba or Adam Scott. In other words… if Spieth loses out on victory this weekend, doubtless the media will say that it was his tournament to lose and not that it was another superstar who was on form that week.

Other narratives this week? Well, with the WGC Match Play fast approaching, this week is the last chance for these pros to crack the top 64 in the Official World Golf Rankings that is needed to qualify. People who lie on the cusp are celebrated match-play specialist Ian Poulter (r. 64) and in form Gary Woodland (r. 69) and Harris English (r. 70). With Jim Furyk still out with injury and reports that Stenson doesn’t plan on playing that WGC event, there is even more hope for golfers who lie on the edge.

But to be honest, this weekend will belong to whoever takes it. While at Doral it helps if your name is Bubba, Dustin or Rory, the driver won’t see as much action this week. If you have the iron game and can scramble, you can slowly march on averaging 2 under or so a day and be in contention (which, let’s face it, is why Spieth and Stenson are so well favoured at this event).

It may not be the flashiest event of the year, but strategically this has proven to be a useful trophy to lift. As we saw last year, if you win at Valspar you can win the first major of the year, the Masters. And if you win the Masters, the world is your oyster.