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2022 Valspar Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Innisbrook

By Mike Randleman

May 1, 2021; Palm Harbor, Florida, USA; A detailed view of the a paint can tee box marker on the 3rd hole during the third round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2021; Palm Harbor, Florida, USA; A detailed view of the a paint can tee box marker on the 3rd hole during the third round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Valspar Championship, PGA, Innisbrook
May 1, 2021; Palm Harbor, Florida, USA; Abraham Ancer waves to the fans after making a putt on the 2nd hole during the third round of the Valspar Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Abraham Ancer’s two trips to the Valspar Championship have been pretty fruitful.

The former Oklahoma Sooner debuted in 2018 with scores of 72-73-67-69. If not for an acclimation period for Innisbrook early in the tournament, Ancer easily could’ve finished higher than T-16th.

That’s just what he did in 2021.

If not for a blistering three-shot victory by Sam Burns, Ancer would have been right in the thick of things at last year’s Valspar Championship. He settled for solo fifth place (67-70-66-69).

Ancer led the field in strokes gained putting (9.356) and was fourth in SG off the tee (3.630). We all know the diminutive Ancer is not a bomber, so how did he hold his own driving? He was T-1st in fairway percentage (80.77%).

“I think so. Definitely,” Ancer was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2021 in response to a question asking if his iron play gives him confidence to contend at Innisbrook. “Especially on golf courses like this where you know you have to be extremely accurate with your distance control. I feel like I do that very well and, yeah, I wish the golf courses we play would be like this or Harbour Town or targets that are really, really small and you have to shape your shots. I just find that to be very fun and enjoy that kind of golf, for sure.”

The Mexican-American comes to the Copperhead course following a T-33rd finish at the Players Championship. An opening 68 had him in good shape, but three ensuing rounds in the 70s weren’t enough to keep him around.

Nonetheless, it was still the 31-year-old’s fifth made cut in a row worldwide. He’s only missed one in the 2021-22 PGA Tour season and contended in his home country last winter at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba.

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