March 18, 2026
Akshay Bhatia has withdrawn from the upcoming Valspar Championship. No official reason has been given at this time. The rising star had been one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour, already making seven starts in 2026, highlighted by a recent win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and a T13 result at last week's PLAYERS Championship. His absence from the Valspar field is notable, especially for DFS players and golf bettors, as Bhatia was projected to be one of the top contenders at the Copperhead Course.
--Joe Nicely - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour Communications
March 18, 2026
After a slow start to the year, J.J. Spaun finally posted his first top-25 result of the season at The Players, finishing T24. He looks to carry that momentum into the Valspar Championship, where he has played four times, missing the cut in three of those appearances. Success at Innisbrook typically hinges on accuracy over raw power, along with strong approach play and putting. Spaun ranks 96th in total strokes gained (-0.236 per round), 58th on approach (+0.246), and 34th in driving accuracy. He also sits in the 88th percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounted for 41.2% of approach shots here last year. TPC Sawgrass was the first event where he gained strokes with the putter (+1.8), as he still sits 151st overall in putting. Spaun may have finally broken free from what held him back earlier in the season, and despite poor course history, he presents as a decent (though likely popular) play at $8,700 on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 18, 2026
Aaron Rai missed his first cut of the year at THE PLAYERS, though he had recorded T28 and T23 finishes in his two prior events. He looks to get back on track at the Valspar Championship, where he missed the cut in his only start here in 2024. Success at Innisbrook typically hinges on accuracy over raw power, along with strong approach play and putting. Rai sits 105th in total strokes gained (-0.421 per round), 73rd on approach (+0.100), and 12th in driving accuracy. He hasn't been as strong with the flat stick, losing strokes putting in three of five events, including over 6.4 strokes at Pebble, and sits 90th on tour. While he has not shown the elite ball-striking that we saw from him last year, the weaker field at the Valspar presents a bounce-back opportunity. At $7,900 on DraftKings, Rai offers a solid floor with his accuracy and iron play, though upside remains limited until he starts rolling the rock more consistently.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 18, 2026
Johnny Keefer has been solid so far in his first full year on tour, making four of six cuts and finishing as high as T27 at the AMEX. He now turns to the Valspar Championship, where he is making his Innisbrook debut. Success here typically hinges on accuracy over raw power, along with strong approach play and putting. Keefer ranks 81st in total strokes gained (+0.010 per round), 34th on approach (+0.348), seventh off the tee, and 19th in total driving. Where he has struggled is in his short game, ranking just 159th around the green and 146th putting. Keefer also sits second in greens in regulation percentage (74.17%), so if he can put together a neutral short game week, he offers strong upside at just $7,100 on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 18, 2026
Billy Horschel put together his best result of the season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finishing T13 while gaining over 7.1 strokes with the putter. He will look to carry that momentum into the Valspar Championship, where he has recorded finishes of T12 and T4 over the past two seasons. Success at Innisbrook typically hinges on accuracy over raw power, along with strong approach play with mid and long irons. Horschel ranks 109th in total strokes gained (-0.504 per round), 102nd on approach (-0.170), and 131st in driving accuracy. He also sits in just the 40th percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounted for 41.2% of approach shots here last year. At $7,200 on DraftKings, he offers some upside at a course where he has had success, but still carries significant risk given his inconsistent play this season.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 18, 2026
Ben Griffin has not been at his best to start the season, with four straight finishes of T37 or worse, including back-to-back missed cuts. He looks to turn things around at the Valspar Championship, where he has results of T45, T17, and a missed cut. Success at Innisbrook typically hinges on accuracy over raw power, along with strong approach play using mid and long irons. Griffin ranks 74th in total strokes gained (+0.134 per round), 114th on approach (-0.266), and 26th in driving accuracy. He has also been solid around the green (11th) and with the putter (46th). However, struggles off the tee (131st) and on approach, including just the 19th percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, have held him back. That range accounted for over 41% of approach shots here last year. The Valspar presents a solid bounce-back spot, but at $9,200 on DraftKings, fantasy managers should weigh their options carefully.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 18, 2026
Corey Conners put together an impressive performance at THE PLAYERS, gaining over six strokes on approach and finishing T13. He looks to carry that momentum into the Valspar Championship, where he has posted finishes of T16, T21, and T8 in three appearances. Ball-striking is emphasized at Innisbrook, along with accuracy off the tee and strong putting. Conners ranks 85th in total strokes gained (-0.060 per round), 26th on approach (+0.498), and fourth in driving accuracy. He has also been solid from key ranges, sitting in the 83rd percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a distance that accounted for 41.2% of all approach shots here last year. His biggest weakness has been on the greens, where he has lost -0.593 strokes per round putting, 147th on tour. Despite this, Conners offers winning upside with his ball-striking and should be strongly considered by fantasy managers at $9,000 on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 17, 2026
Xander Schauffele finished third at last week's PLAYERS Championship, and this was followed by a tie for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. Schauffele has now secured four straight top-25 finishes and gained strokes across the board in his last three starts. Schauffele has played well in past Valspar Championship editions, finishing tied for 12th in 2025. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 95th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 41% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Valspar Championship.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Sahith Theegala finished tied for 32nd at last week's PLAYERS Championship, and this was followed by a tie for sixth finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. Theegala has rattled off three top-10 finishes and no missed cuts in eight starts this season. Theegala finished tied for 36th at last year's Valspar Championship and hopes to best that this year. Over the past 12 months, Theegala ranks in the 62nd percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because over 41% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Valspar Championship.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Mackenzie Hughes missed the cut at last week's PLAYERS Championship, and this followed a tie for 23rd finish at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches three weeks ago. The missed cut last week marked only the second missed cut of the 2026 season for Hughes. Hughes has played well at the Valspar Championship, finishing tied for 36th in 2025 and tied for third in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Hughes ranks in the 70th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Valspar Championship, over 41% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Nicolai Hojgaard finished tied for 27th at last week's PLAYERS Championship, following a tie for 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. Hojgaard has yet to miss a cut in seven starts and has rattled off five straight top-25 finishes. Hojgaard missed the cut at last year's Valspar Championship and will hope to best that at this year's edition. Over the past 12 months, Hojgaard ranks in the 81st percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Valspar Championship, over 41% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Matt Fitzpatrick finished second at last week's PLAYERS Championship after making a strong push up the leaderboard on Saturday and Sunday. He followed this up with a tied for 41st finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. This week will mark Fitzpatrick's first appearance at the Valspar Championship since 2023, when he missed the cut. Over the past 12 months, Fitzpatrick ranks in the 40th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because over 41% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Valspar Championship.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Pierceson Coody missed the cut at The PLAYERS Championship last week, following a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. The missed cut at the PLAYERS Championship marked only the second time Coody has missed the cut in 2026. He has had a stellar start to the season with five top-25 finishes in eight starts. Coody missed the 2025 Valspar Championship but was forced to withdraw in 2024 and missed the cut in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Coody ranks in the 29th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because over 41% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Valspar Championship.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 17, 2026
Wyndham Clark continued his middle-of-the-pack run at THE PLAYERS, finishing T42 for his fifth straight result of T35 or worse. He now looks to find some momentum at the Valspar Championship, where he finished fifth in his last appearance in 2023. Innisbrook rewards strong ball-striking, with short game often separating those at the top of the leaderboard. Clark ranks 84th in total strokes gained (-0.058 per round), though he has been solid on approach, ranking 38th (+0.413) and 26th around the green (+0.329). The biggest concern so far has been his putting, where he ranks just 150th, losing -0.639 strokes per round. On a more positive note, Clark sits in the 75th percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, and ranks 62nd on tour from 200+ yards, ranges that accounted for 72.1% of all approach shots here last year. At $8,000 on DraftKings, Clark's ball-striking gives him upside if the putter shows any improvement.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 17, 2026
After the rustbucket of a golf game that was on display at Bay Hill, Justin Thomas looked a few weeks away--if not a few months--from being able to really become a factor again inside the ropes. Cut to a short few days later, and he was one of the promising names looking to win at TPC Sawgrass last week. This fickle game works on its own clock. Now it's a matter of which one to believe going forward. He looked to be in total control of his golf ball at The Players, gaining over four strokes putting and over five and a half strokes on approach. He also has an incredible history around the Copperhead Course. The driver will be the biggest concern come Thursday, but his affinity for this course should help him visualize tee shots better than the last two venues. It's too early to say if he's officially back, but last week's performance has certainly given him a more optimistic outlook than he had before. Stay on the JT train at Valspar.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
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