2026 Valspar Championship: PGA Betting and Fantasy Preview - Key Stats, Course Breakdown, Tournament Trends, TV Times, and More


Xander Schauffele - PGA DFS, Golf Betting Picks

The PGA Tour travels to Palm Harbor, Fla., this week for the Valspar Championship, the final stop of the Florida Swing. The tournament is played at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, widely regarded as one of the most challenging venues on the PGA TOUR schedule.

The Valspar Championship features a 135-player field with a cut after 36 holes. Following THE PLAYERS Championship last week, several of the biggest names on TOUR have chosen to skip this event. Despite that, the field still includes plenty of talent near the top of the odds board.

For those who have followed my work in the past, you know my betting picks are usually included within this article. This year will be a little different, as my official plays will be part of our RotoBaller PGA Premium offerings. To get access to my top plays throughout the 2026 season, check out our awesome options now. If you are new here, the purpose of this preview is to provide a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about this week’s event. From course details and key statistics to historical trends and field insights, this article is designed to serve as a guide or at least a strong starting point as you build your betting card or DFS lineups. With plenty of opportunity on the board, let’s dive into the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) and get you fully prepared for the ninth week of the PGA Tour season.

 

Valspar Championship - Tournament Information

 

Valspar Championship - Course Information

Course Architect:

Comparable Courses:

Comparable Location (Palm Harbor, Fla.):

Comparable Yardage (7,352 Yards):

Comparable Greens (TifEagle bermudagrass / Poa trivialis overseed .100”):

Comparable Average Green Size (5,822 sq. ft.):

 

Valspar Championship - TV Information (ET)

 

Valspar Championship - Course/Tournament History

Innisbrook Resort features four championship courses: Copperhead, North, South, and Island. The Valspar Championship is played on the resort’s Copperhead Course, which is the second course built on the property. Known for its tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, and demanding layout, the Copperhead Course is widely considered the most challenging track at the resort.

The course underwent a significant renovation in 2015, led by Wadsworth Golf Construction Company, a group that was also involved in the original construction of the course. During the renovation, the greens were reseeded with TifEagle Bermudagrass, and several were restored to their original sizes to allow for a greater variety of pin placements. The fairways were converted to Celebration Bermudagrass to create a more consistent playing surface, while many bunkers were reshaped and several tee boxes were expanded and recontoured.

The tournament made its debut on the PGA TOUR schedule in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic. Early in its history, the event was played as an alternate tournament during the late summer and fall portion of the schedule. From 2003 through 2006, the event was held in the fall before moving to a March date in 2007. During that transition, the tournament also received a new title sponsor and was renamed the Chrysler Championship.

Between 2007 and 2008, the event was played under the name PODS Championship. After navigating several sponsorship changes, the tournament found long-term stability in 2014 when Valspar became the title sponsor.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Duration: Tournament Name:
2014-2019, 2021-Present Valspar Championship
2013 Tampa Bay Championship
2009-2012 Transitions Championship
2007-2008 PODS Championship
2003-2006 Chrysler Championship
2000, 2002 Tampa Bay Classic

Previous Tournament Names:

Duration: Course: Location:
2000, 2002-2019, 2021-Present Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Palm Harbour, Florida, United States

Tournament Records:

Course Records:

 

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Valspar Championship - Course Guide/ Scorecard

Originally crafted by Larry Packard in 1971, the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort features a Par 71 layout, comprising five Par 3s, nine Par 4s, and four Par 5s.

The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort poses a formidable challenge, ranking among the toughest courses on the Tour outside of the Majors. In 2025, only the four Par 5s had a scoring average under par.

While not excessively long at 7,352 yards, Innisbrook Resort sits near the Tour average, slightly longer in comparison. The fairways, with an average width of 26.0 yards, rank as the 4th narrowest on the Tour, making Strokes Gained Off the Tee a crucial category. Green sizes average around 5,822 square feet, relatively smaller compared to other Tour courses.

The course’s primary defense lies in its water hazards, which come into play on half of the holes. Despite its modest length, these hazards often necessitate cautious layups on specific holes. Additionally, Innisbrook Resort is highly susceptible to winds, posing a significant challenge for approach shots.

The Copperhead course at Innisbrook isn’t your typical Florida course. It features a lot of elevation changes and tree-lined fairways. Many players will not play driver on most holes, as it has the fifth-lowest average driving distance on the PGA Tour. Accuracy off the tee is especially crucial this week, given the rough has grown out from 3.00″ to 3.75″.

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Valspar Championship - Notable Par 3s

The five Par 3s range between 195 yards and 235 yards. Last year, all of the par 3s had a scoring average over par.

Hole 13 | Par 3 | 200 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.154 (Difficulty Rank - 5)

The tightly mown areas around the green make the Par 3 ‘Forced Carry' a hole to be reckoned with.

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Hole 17 | Par 3 | 215 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.048 (Difficulty Rank - 11)

Beware of ‘The Rattler’ – this long Par 3 has plenty of bite for the player that misses the green.

 

Valspar Championship - Notable Par 4s

There are nine Par 4s at Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), with the majority of those holes ranging between 450 and 500 yards. No. 12 is the shortest listed at 380 yards, with the longest being No. 16, playing 475 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest par 4 on the course last year was the 16th hole.

Hole 16 | Par 4 | 475 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.305 (Difficulty Rank - 1)

One of the toughest scoring holes on the PGA TOUR, the Par 4 'Moccasin' will test the player's ability to hit a controlled fade into a very tight fairway.

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Hole 18 | Par 4 | 445 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.135 (Difficulty Rank - 6)

With an all uphill approach, 'The Copperhead' is the ultimate finishing hole for a championship course.

 

Valspar Championship - Notable Par 5s

There are four Par 5s on the course: No. 1, No. 5, No. 11, and No. 14. These four Par 5s were the only holes to have had a scoring average under par in 2025. Hole No. 1 was the easiest hole on the course last year, with a scoring average of 0.343 below par.

Hole 1 | Par 5 | 560 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.657 (Difficulty Rank - 18)

'Innisbrook's View' is Par 5, dogleg right, requiring three calculated shots to reach the green.

Hole 14 | Par 5 | 590 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.801 (Difficulty Rank - 16)

Follow the contours of 'Packard's Double Dogleg' if you want any chance of scoring well on the last of Copperhead's Par 5s.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 16-18 ‘Snake Pit’

 

Valspar Championship - Key Statistics

As the Valspar Championship returns to Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), understanding how this course compares to PGA Tour averages can help identify which players are best suited for success. Here’s how Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) stacks up statistically:

Statistics PGA Tour Average Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
Driving Distance (Yards) 291.9 278.8
Driving Accuracy 60.5% 55.7%
GIR Percentage 66.1% 57.2%
Avg GIR Prox to Hole (Feet) 37.2 37.0
Scrambling Percentage 58.9% 62.6%
3 Putt Avoidance Percentage 2.83% 2.09%

Good Drives Gained

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)

Par 3 Scoring: 200-225 Yards

Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards

Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards

Scrambling Gained

Bogey Avoidance

Proximity Gained: 175-200, 200+ Yards

Comparable Courses and Event History

 

Valspar Championship - The Field

The 2026 Valspar Championship features a mediocre 135-player field. The tournament includes seven of the top-20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, headlined by World No. 7 Xander Schauffele. Defending champion Viktor Hovland will be in the field this week, coming off back-to-back top 15 finishes.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

Debutants in the Field:

Exemptions:

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

 

Valspar Championship - The Odds

Here’s a breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA Tour/ DP World Tour and their last result at the Valspar Championship. My top plays of the week are included in the TeeOffSports VIP+ PGA Premium package.

Golfer Odds Last 5 Finishes on the PGA TOUR/ DPWT*
(Recent -> Past)
Last 5 Finishes at the Valspar Championship
(Recent -> Past)
Xander Schauffele +1050 3-T24-T7-T19-T41 T12-T5-T12
Matt Fitzpatrick +1450 2-T41-T24-T14-9 MC-T5-MC
Viktor Hovland +1900 T13-T13-T41-T58-T10 WON-T33-T3
Akshay Bhatia +1950 T13-WON-T16-T6-T3 T17-MC-MC
Patrick Cantlay +2150 T32-MC-T37-T14 2-MC
Justin Thomas +2250 T8-MC 2-T64-T10-T3-T13
Jacob Bridgeman +2250 T5-T18-WON-T8-T18 3-MC
Jordan Spieth +2500 T32-T11-T12-T29-MC T28-MC-T3-MC-T18
Brooks Koepka +2600 T13-T9-MC-T56-T15* T12-MC
Ben Griffin +2900 MC-MC-T41-T37-T28 MC-T17-T45

 

Recent Horses for Courses

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
Golfer 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021
Viktor Hovland WON - - T33 T3
Xander Schauffele T12 T5 - T12 -
Justin Thomas 2 T64 T10 T3 T13
Billy Horschel T4 T12 - - -
Seamus Power 8 26 - - -
Ryo Hisatsune 4 33 - - -
Davis Riley 7 MC 19 2 -

 

Recent Donkeys for Courses

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
Golfer 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021
Greg Koch MC MC MC MC -
Andrew Putnam MC MC - MC MC
Lanto Griffin MC - - MC MC
Justin Lower MC WD MC - -
Chad Ramey MC MC T27 MC -
Alex Smalley MC MC T27 MC -
Brice Garnett MC MC MC T27 -
Charley Hoffman - MC MC MC T18
Adrien Dumont de Chassart MC MC - - -
Rasmus Hojgaard MC - - - MC
Jackson Suber MC - - MC -
Cameron Davis MC - - - MC
Pierceson Coody - WD MC - -
Rafael Campos T70 MC - - MC
Mark Hubbard T47 - MC - MC
Danny Willett T47 - - MC MC
Patrick Rodgers - MC T36 - MC
Peter Malnati MC WON MC MC MC

 

Previous Winners' Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament)

SG: Off the Tee SG: Tee to Green SG: Approach SG: Around the Green SG: Putting
20th 11th 6th 71st 2nd
SG: Off the Tee SG: Tee to Green SG: Approach SG: Around the Green SG: Putting
4th 14th 20th 58th 3rd
SG: Off the Tee SG: Tee to Green SG: Approach SG: Around the Green SG: Putting
2nd 2nd 5th 40th 9th
SG: Off the Tee SG: Tee to Green SG: Approach SG: Around the Green SG: Putting
56th 4th 3rd 13th 8th
SG: Off the Tee SG: Tee to Green SG: Approach SG: Around the Green SG: Putting
16th 5th 14th 23rd 3rd

 

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts)

 

Previous Winners' Finishes at Event

2025: Viktor Hovland

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
2022 2021
T33 T3

2024: Peter Malnati

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016
MC MC MC T60 MC MC MC

2023: Taylor Moore

Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
2022
MC

2022: Sam Burns

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
2021 2019 2018
WON T30 T12

2021: Sam Burns

Valspar Championship Valspar Championship
Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course)
2019 2018
T30 T12

Best of luck, and as always, you can find me on X @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting!

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