AllPGA Golf

2023 Valspar Championship Preview



By: Victor Herrera

Headline Photo Credit: USA Today

After a record-breaking Players Championship last week at TPC Sawgrass. I understand this weeks Valspar Championship will not have as much attention drawn to it. However, this is a tournament that will allow a young player to make his run at the Masters by getting a win. I do believe that a guy not many have heard about will pull this victory this week. Let us get started with the course. This tournament will take place at the Innisbrook Resort on the Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. This course plays at a par 71 with a total of 7,300 yards and will have a purse of 8.1 million. There are many interesting names to keep an eye on for this tournament. To begin we will look at previous winner Sam Burns. Burns has had a terrible start to the year so far. Burns has proven for the past two years he plays good at this tournament. He will be looking to win for a third straight time at the Valspar Championship.

Mar 16, 2023; Palm Harbor, Florida, USA; Justin Thomas plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Another player to keep your eye on is Justin Thomas. The Masters are only 3 weeks away. He has not been playing good golf as of late. If he cannot get it turned around this week his chances of making a statement at the Masters will be in jeopardy. Another star to keep an eye on is Jordan Spieth. Jordan will be in the field this week and can really get his game going. His short game has been there and his putting has fairly consistent. The game Jordan needs to improve the most is his driving off the tee. This is the area that has given him the most issues. Now it’s time to announce who I think will win this week’s tournament. I have selected Brandon Wu to get his first career win at the Valspar Championship. He is coming off his third best career finish at the Players Championship. I believe his confidence is at a new level as he played consistent all four days last week. My sleeper pick for this week is Garrick Higo. The lefty had some trouble with the water but his stats show he has improved dramatically in all aspect of his game.