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2021 Valspar Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Innisbrook

By Mike Randleman

Mar 22, 2019; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; A view of "The Snake Pitt" statue outside the 16th hole during the second round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2019; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; A view of "The Snake Pitt" statue outside the 16th hole during the second round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2019; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; Patrick Reed plays his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2019; Palm Harbor, FL, USA; Patrick Reed plays his shot from the 16th tee during the first round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament at Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

I would make a hack joke about how Patrick Reed’s been snakebit at the Valspar Championship, but I’d like to think I’m above that.

It is true that he’s had trouble getting the job done when in contention at Innisbrook. To Reed’s credit, three top-10s in six starts is laudable. But you know the fiery golfer is rueing missed opportunities in 2015 (T-2nd, 72-68-68-66), 2016 (T-7th, 71-70-68-73) and 2018 (T-2nd, 71-69-67-68). Jordan Spieth edged Reed in a playoff in 2015. Reed and Tiger Woods were a shot out of forcing a playoff with Paul Casey in 2018.

“It’s a tough course.  How the conditions are, with the wind blowing and with the rough being a little bit thicker, it’s one of those golf courses no one is going to go out there and shoot 8, 9-under, make a ton of birdies,” Reed was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2015. “There’s going to be a lot of pars, birdies here and there.  Some guys get on hot streaks, make some birdies. There’s going to be some bogeys out there.  Kind of seems like everyone is playing the same type of golf.”

Reed enters rested with two weeks off since a T-8th in his last start at the Masters. It was his third top-25 in his last four stroke play events, which includes T-22nd at the Players and T-9th at the WGC-Workday Championship.

This week is one of the weaker fields Reed will take on all year, so it’s a good time for him to rise up and claim his second win of the year. His first was at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Everyone will be missing fairways and greens this week. That’s where Reed’s shotmaking out of trouble comes in handy. He finds a way to make a score and can adapt to tough weather.

The 30-year-old ranks second on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting (1.101). He’s not long off the tee, but that’s OK at a dogleg filled course like Copperhead. Reed’s also 16th in sand saves (59.68%).

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