The Florida Swing continues on the PGA Tour at this week’s Valspar Championship that features four of the top 15 and eight of the top 30 in the current Official World Rankings.
Henrik Stenson +1000 and three-time winner and FedEx Cup points leader Justin Thomas +1100 headline the field. Stenson had to withdraw last week due to the flu but should be a full go. Thomas played well in Mexico last week and is a threat anytime he pegs it up.
Other notable players include Patrick Reed +2750, Bill Haas +1750, Matt Kuchar +2500, Ryan Moore +2800, Charles Howell III +3000, defending champion Charl Schwartzel +3500 and Bubba Watson +3300 who makes his first visit to the Tampa area since 2011.
The Course: Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course is the host track. Opened in 1972, Innisbrook spent 24 years as site of the JC Penney team event pairing PGA TOUR and LPGA pros, then became a regular stop in 2000. The layout measures 7,340 yards and plays to a par-71 and features one of the toughest finishing stretches on the PGA Tour, holes 16-17, known as the “Snake Pit.”
The tournament has never had a back-to-back winner and just three of 16 defending champs have finished in the top 10 a year later. Jordan Spieth tied for 18th in his defense last year. Surprisingly, Spieth is not in the field this week.
TV Coverage: Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. ET - Golf Channel. Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. Golf Channel, 3-6 p.m. - NBC.
Current Valspar Championship Golf Odds at BookMaker.eu:
Henrik Stenson +1000
Justin Thomas +1100
Bill Haas +1750
Daniel Berger +1900
Gary Woodland +2000
Matt Kuchar +2500
Patrick Reed +2750
Ryan Moore +2800
Charles Howell III +3000
Bubba Watson +3300
Charl Schwartzel +3500
Jason Dufner +3750
Russell Knox +4000
Billy Horschel +4150
Graham DeLaet +4400
Kevin Na +4500
Wesley Bryan +4555
Byeong Hun An +4999
Luke Donald +5000
Jim Furyk +5250
Graeme McDowell +5500
Martin Laird +5750
Webb Simpson +6000
Charley Hoffman +6250
Russell Henley +6500
Chris Kirk +6666
Jason Kokrak +7000
Sean O’Hair +7250
J.J. Spaun +7500
Keegan Bradley +7550
Patrick Rodgers +7600
Steve Stricker +8000
Tony Finau +7000
Harris English +7950
Nick Watney +8500
Ollie Schniederjans +9000
Scott Brown +9250
Lucas Glover +9500
Brian Harman +10000
Ian Poulter +10500
Kevin Streelman +10550
Scott Stallings +11000
Stewart Cink +11100
FIELD - Any Other Player +475
ODDS ANALYSIS
Wesley Bryan +4555 was the leading money winner on the Web.com Tour a year ago and is already making a name for himself on the PGA Tour with back-to-back top 10’s in his last two starts. And by the way, they were on tough courses, just like this week’s. Bryan, who is better known for his trick shots on youtube, has the game and patience to play well this week.
I’ve been pounding the drum for weeks for Ollie Schniederjans +9000. The former No. 1 ranked amateur is playing his first full year on the PGA Tour and already has been in contention a couple of times. The course this week is difficult and Schniederjans has the game to play well on tough tracks. At +9000, he is worth a look!
FADE: Jim Furyk +5250 has played three events this year and played well below average in all three with a best finish of T39 in LA. He may have gotten sidetracked with all the Ryder Cup news and obligations that go with it. His game is clearly not where he wants it to be and can not be trusted.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu. The Valspar Championship is scheduled for March 9-12, 2017. Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida will host the event and NBC and Golf Channel will televise it.
