The Rundown: The 2023 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort
By Derek Helm
The 2023 Valspar Championship is the last stop for the PGA Tour on the Florida swing.
Sam Burns won the Valspar Championship in back-to-back years. He defeated Davis Riley in a two-hole playoff last year. He shot in the 60s in all four rounds and gained seven strokes on approach. Matthew Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas who are also in the field this year finished top 5 in 2022.
The Valspar was played later in the year in June of 2021. Sam Burns won in 2021 with an identical low score of -17 after playing under par in all four rounds including a 63 on Friday. Keegan Bradley finished 2nd and had a strong showing but was unable to keep up on Sunday.
The Valspar Championship is played at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.
The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is located in Palm Harbor, Florida. The Par 71 plays at just over 7300 yards and has fast Bermuda greens. Unlike many par 71 courses, the Copperhead is interesting in that there are five par 3s and four par 5s.
The Copper head course is a strategic course that is all about placement and angles. It is home to the “Snake Pit”: the 3-hole finishing stretch of 16, 17, and 18 is one of the most difficult on tour. Hole 16 is a 475-yard Par 4 and the hardest hole on the course. There is water on one side and trees on the other.
Hole 17 is a 215-yard Par 3 that has one of the largest greens on the course but can still cause plenty of headaches. The closing 18th hole is a 445-yard Par 4 with a bunker-lined fairway and elevated green.
Copperhead has been historically difficult, Pars make up 65% of the scoring. The Par 5s are the four easiest holes on the course and will be where players try to do the bulk of their scoring.
Par 3 scoring is obviously highlighted due to there being five of them on the course—four of which are over 200 yards. The 4th hole is the only one under 200 yards and the easiest of the five.
Driving accuracy is right around tour average and driving distance is about 12 yards less than the tour average. As previously referenced accuracy over power is preferred.
Greens are also slightly more difficult to hit partially due to players having to rely on long irons. Approach shots from 175 to 200+ yards make up just under 50% of total approach shots. While 150-175 yards makes up 20%. Long irons and ball striking are a must.
There are 148 golfers in the field and the Top 65 and Ties make the cut after 36 Holes
2023 Valspar Championship: Key Stats and Figures
- Strokes Gained Approach
- Approach from 175-200 yds and 200+
- Par 5 Scoring
- Par 3 Scoring
- Bogey Avoidance
Historical Cut Line
- 2022: -2
- 2021: even
- 2019: +2
- 2018: +4
- 2017: +1
Next. Hoge Goes Lower Than Anyone Ever at TPC Sawgrass. dark
Previous Winners
2022: Sam Burns-17
2021: Sam Burns -17
2020: Canceled
2019: Paul Casey −8
2018: Paul Casey −10
2017: Adam Hadwin −14