Golf betting tips: Preview and tips for the 2022 Valspar Championship

The Valspar Championship is played annually on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.

The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic. From 2003 to 2006, the event had a slot in the schedule as the last full-field event before the Tour Championship.

Course Overview

The topography of the Copperhead Golf Course in unlike what one would expect from Florida golf. The layout is defined by the rolling terrain, with many uphill and downhill tee shots, elevation changes and tree-lined fairways.

At more than 7,300 yards from the back tees, it is also known for being a lengthy challenge. The golf course utilizes the natural water hazards of lakes and ponds that are scattered throughout the property.

Copperhead boasts the usual serving of four Par 5s but unusally for a Par 71 it has five Par 3s, three of which are found on the back nine. The final three-hole stretch of the Copperhead Course is known as the ‘The Snake Pit‘ and is one of the toughest finishes at a non-major. It is a 1,120-yard collection of hazards stretched over three holes.

The 2011 Champion, Gary Woodland best sums up the ‘Snake Pit’ –

Copperhead is a complete test of golf and those with aspirations of winning will have to drive accurately, hit a high percentage of greens in regulation and putt well. An ability to play in blustery conditions is essential.

2021 Valspar Championship | Sam Burns

Last year, Sam Burns recorded his first win on the PGA Tour by winning the 2021 Valspar Championship. He closed with a final round -3 (68) for a tournament total of -17 (267). It was enough for a three stroke victory over his nearest rival Keegan Bradley.  

A red-hot putter was key to victory for the Louisiana native. He finished 3rd in Strokes Gained Putting which equated to a gain of 9.096 strokes on the field average, or almost 55% of his overall gain for the week. He finished 2nd for Birdies racking up a total of 21 for the tournament. Other stats include T33 for Driving Distance, T19 for Driving Distance, T55 for GIR and 5^th for Putts per GIR.

2020 Valspar Championship | Cancelled

The 2020 edition of the tournament was cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

2019 Valspar Championship | Paul Casey

In 2019, Paul Casey successfully defended his Valspar Championship title for his third PGA Tour victory. The Englishman closed with a final round +1 (72) for a -8 (276) total for the tournament. It was enough for a one stroke victory over Jason Kokrak and Louis Oosthuizen.

Superb ball-striking was key to Casey’s success. He finished 1^st in the Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green category which equated to a gain of 11.238 strokes or nearly 97% of his overall gain. Other stats for the week include 9^th for Driving Accuracy, 11^th for Driving Distance, T5 for GIR and 43^rd for Strokes Gained Putting.

2018 Valspar Championship | Paul Casey

The 2018 champion, Paul Casey, carded a final round -6 (65) to finish on -10 (274) one stroke clear of Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods. It was the Englishman’s second PGA Tour victory having won the Shell Houston Open back in 2009.

Tee-to-green is where the magic happened for Casey. Three quarters of his overall strokes gained for the tournament came in Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green, which equated to a gain of 9.394 strokes. The Englishman finished the week T68 for Driving Accuracy, 17th for Driving Distance, T30 for GIR and 15th in Strokes Gained Putting.

2017 Valspar Championship | Adam Hadwin

In 2017, Adam Hadwin survived a late scare to claim his first PGA Tour title. He threw away a two shot lead on the 16th hole hitting his tee shot into the water. However, he kept his nerve to close with two pars for an even par 71 to narrowly edge out Patrick Cantlay.

The Canadian’s iron play laid the foundation for his victory, gaining a total of 8.196 strokes on the field average from approach shots. This was duly complimented by the flat-stick gaining another 6.881 strokes over the four rounds. He finished the week T27 for Driving Accuracy, 37th for Driving Distance, T5 for GIR and 4th in Strokes Gained Putting.

2016 Valspar Championship | Charl Schwartzel

In 2016, Charl Schwartzel won the Valspar Championship in a playoff with Bill Haas. It was his first win on Tour since winning the Green Jacket in 2011. He carded a final round 67 which was 5.2 strokes better than the field average.

The South African won on the strength of his approach shots which accounted for 61 percent of his total gain on the field. Schwartzel finished the week T29 for Driving Distance, T65 for Driving Accuracy, T10 for Greens in Regulation and T12 for Strokes Gained Putting.

Valspar Championship Winning Formula

The following table details the Average Strokes Gained in each of the key strokes gained categories for the past four champions of the Valspar Championship.

Graphing the above Average Strokes Gained gives a visual check on the likely key areas required for success at this week’s Valspar Championship.

Valspar Championship Tips

Louis Oosthuizen 22/1 (E/W) – a regular at the Valspar Championship, he has 2 x Top 10’s in his last two visits including a runner-up finish in 2019. A T42 in last week’s PLAYERS Championship followed on from a T30 in the Honda Classic and a T14 in the WM Phoenix Open. Statistically balanced, he places inside the Top 10 in this week’s Stats Analysis. He is also 11^th on Tour for GIR and 14^th for Strokes Gained Off-The-Tee. Among the elite in the field, he has the skill set to make some noise this week. Standout pick.

Shane Lowry 25/1 (E/W) – has one previous visit to the Copperhead, finishing a T49 in 2018. A battling T13 in last week’s Players Championship was preceded with a narrow miss at the Honda Classic. Prior to that he had a T12 in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and a T24 in the Dubai Desert Classic, both on the DP World Tour. Hasn’t played enough rounds on Tour this season to register any stats, but we know the Florida resident is riding a hot streak. Willing to overlook tournament short-comings based on other variables. Good each way value.