PALM HARBOR, Florida – The fourth and final stop of the PGA Tour’s “Florida Swing” is the Valspar Championship March 16-19 at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, just outside Tampa.
Despite not being categorized as an “elevated event,” the field is decent and includes defending two-time champ Sam Burns, who is ranked No. 14 in OWGR.
“There’s something I love about that place,” Burns said of the Copperhead Course at media day held Feb 22. “I look forward to coming back every year.”
Joining Burns this year are a number of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) players, including four of the top 15.
Justin Thomas returns after T-3 at the 2022 Valspar, one shot out of a playoff. He has called the Copperhead Course one of his favorite on the PGA TOUR and has four top-20 finishes in five career starts at the event. J.T. is currently ranked No. 9 in OWRG.
He will be joined at The Valspar by friend Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Valspar champion, owner of three majors including the 2015 FEDEX CUP. He is ranked No. 15 in the world.
“Jordan, J.T. and Sam are three of the best American players in the world. They all have had exceptional results at the Valspar Championship in the past, and we are thrilled they are rejoining us on the Copperhead this year,” said Tournament Director Tracy West.
Also committed to play are Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose and Luke Donald – three of Great Britain’s top professional golfers.
Matt Fitzpatrick is reigning U.S. Open champion, ranked No. 12. Fitzpatrick tied for 5th at the 2022 Valspar Championship.
Justin Rose is also a U.S. Open champion (2013 at Winged Foot) in a distinguished career that includes the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2018 FedEx Cup title. He currently sits at No. 37.
Luke Donald, captain of the 2023 European Ryder Cup team has been an outstanding performer at the Valspar including winning the title in 2012. Last year, he posted his 6th top-20 finish, one off the tournament record.
Five more OWGR top 50 players include No. 20 Keegan Bradley, No. 26 Tommy Fleetwood, No. 27 Brian Harman, No. 41 K.H. Lee and No. 45 Kevin Kisner. Bradley’s 5 PGA TOUR victories include the 2022 Zozo Championship and the 2011 PGA Championship. He was the 2021 runner-up here.
Kisner has won four PGA TOUR titles, including the 2019 WGC-Match Play Championship, and is two-time Match Play runner-up. He was a member of the 2022 US Presidents Cup team.
SALUTE RONDÉ BARBER
Rondé Barber, the General Chair of the Valspar Championship, has been selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Barber and the rest of the Class of 2023 will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio in early August.
The Tampa Bay area sports fans will have a chance to salute Barber at the upcoming Valspar Championship on Thursday, March 16. Tournament patrons that day are encouraged to show their support with by wearing Barber No. 20 jerseys and other Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear. The first 5,000 patrons will receive a special commemorative item and there will be additional acknowledgements on the course of his achievements.
“We are so grateful for the tremendous involvement Rondé has given us as a volunteer in the last several years,” says Tournament Director Tracy West. “As a player, he was known for his complete dedication to his craft with the commitment and endurance to play 224 consecutive games, a record for an NFL defensive back. With the Copperheads, he has shown a similar zeal, immersing himself in the culture of professional golf, absorbing the business and operations of the tournament and serving as a prime recruiter for players, Copperheads and tournament partners. We are ecstatic to have this opportunity to celebrate his selection into the NFL’s most prestigious club and to thank him for all that he has meant to the Tampa Bay community.”
VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Palm Harbor, Florida.
Course: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead).
Yardage: 7,340. Par: 71.
Prize money: $7.8 million. Winner’s share: $1.404 million.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC).
Defending champion: Sam Burns.
https://valsparchampionship.com/
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