Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Valspar Championship: The Resurgence of Adam Hadwin

By Sean McCann

PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Adam Hadwin of Canada plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 18, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Adam Hadwin of Canada plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 18, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The month of March has begun with a variety of top-tier tournaments, showcasing the World’s best golfers on the biggest stage. As a Canadian, I was proud to see one name dominating the field this month: Adam Hadwin. Once one of the top international players on Tour, Hadwin struggled the past few seasons. However, it seems like the Canadian has found his stride as he’s in the hunt this weekend at the Valspar Championship.

Since the age of Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters Champion, we have yet to see a Canadian golfer dominate the PGA Tour. We’ve seen plenty climb the World Rankings: Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, and Adam Hadwin being the most notable names. Hadwin saw tremendous success in the 2017 season, finishing 26th in the FedEx Cup Standings and shooting a career-low 59 at the CareerBuilder Challenge. Oh, and don’t forget that he won the Valspar Championship in 2017. This just so happens to be the same tournament that he currently finds himself 2nd and in the lead group entering the weekend.

To end a tremendous 2017 season, Hadwin represented the International team at the 2017 President’s Cup, which showcases the World’s best on a global stage. Hadwin finished with a 0-2-1 record, being the third Canadian to ever be selected and first since Graham Delaet in 2013. This was a historic achievement for the 34-year-old.

Since 2017, Adam Hadwin has gradually fallen off as he watched his fellow countrymen Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners succeed.

Conners was named Canada’s top golfer in 2021, while Hughes finished 14th in FedEx Cup Standings in 2020. While Hadwin watched these golfers succeed from below, we now see Hadwin turn the page and find the confidence that made him so successful years before. Now 18th in Greens in Regulation (GIR) and 12th in Sand Saves, The World No. 134 is back to using his strengths to stay in the hunt each weekend.

LIV Golf: Greg Norman Show Us The Money!. dark. Next

With the Players Championship finally coming to an end last week, Hadwin quietly dominated in poor weather and finished T-9th. Now, the 2017 Valspar Champion will look to repeat this year, as he finds himself at the top of the leaderboard once again. Adam Hadwin has climbed into the top 75 in FedEx Cup Points and will continue to climb after this weekend in Copperhead, Florida.

With the 2021-22 season well underway, we are seeing the strengths and passion that made Hadwin so successful in 2017. With the trio of Adam Hadwin, Conners, and Hughes at full strength, Canadian golf is finally being showcased as a golf powerhouse going forward, with no doubt that it will only get stronger in years to come.

Home/Golf News