2022 Valspar Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Innisbrook

Louis Oosthuizen turns 40 in October. We’ve seen how players have been able to extend their careers with fitness, modern club technology, etc., but there’s no denying the 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year is running out of time in his prime.

For his major championship glory and major runner-up slam, Louis has accomplished a lot. Yet, he’s still never won in the U.S. or in a standard PGA Tour event.

If Oosthuizen’s going to get it done, the Valspar Championship rises toward the top of the list of tournaments.

The South African owns four top-10s and a top-20 in seven trips to Innisbrook.

One of his closest calls at a victory came here in 2019 when he finished T-2nd. Rounds of 70-72-66-69 left him just one shot behind Copperhead course legend, Paul Casey. Oosthuizen began Sunday in sixth place and made up three shots on Casey.

Having a good short game like his is usually key to playing well here.

At the 2019 Valspar, Oosthuizen ranked fifth in the field in SG around the green (6.174). Unfortunately, these skills were put to the test too often, which cost him a shot at the title.

Oosthuizen made his third cut in a row last week by taking T-42nd (69-72-69-76) at the Players Championship. His best result of the trio was T-14th at the WM Phoenix Open.

He set himself up nicely off the tee at TPC Sawgrass, which can often be the hardest part. Oosthuizen found 78.57% of fairways. Unfortunately, he was sub-60% in greens in regulation.

“You know, I’ve been making stupid mistakes in my three rounds really, missing a lot of greens on the wrong sides. I feel the game is close,” Oosthuizen was transcribed by ASAP Sports prior to the final round of the Players. “It’s not quite there. I just need to take those shots out of my round and see if I can give myself as many birdie putts — I feel like I am rolling the ball nicely…”