As the Players Championship concludes, attention naturally shifts towards an upcoming golf event in Georgia. Nevertheless, before heading to Augusta National, golfers will finalize their participation in the Florida Swing, with a complete lineup set to compete at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook for the 2026 Valspar Championship.
Although not designated as a signature event on the PGA Tour, the Valspar Championship attracts an impressive roster of golfers aiming to perfect their play in what might be their last competition before the Masters. Notable major winners, including Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, are participating after performing well at the Players Championship, where they narrowly missed victory to Cameron Young.
Justin Thomas also delivered an unexpected performance in only his second tournament appearance of 2026. Following consecutive rounds of 79 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to begin his season, the golfer with two major titles secured a T8 finish at TPC Sawgrass. With renewed self-assurance, the American competitor aims to sustain his positive momentum on a course where he has historically excelled.
Although Justin Thomas has not claimed a victory at the Copperhead Course, both Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland have previously won there. This week, both golfers are part of the lineup, seeking to resolve certain issues within their respective games. Hovland has faced challenges with his driver, whereas Spieth has struggled with avoiding high scores. Should either athlete find a remedy for these concerns on this par 71 layout, their past performances suggest they possess the capability to compete for the championship on Sunday afternoon.
Akshay Bhatia, the victor of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, is scheduled to compete for the third consecutive week, alongside Jacob Bridgeman, who won the Genesis Invitational. Both golfers performed commendably at TPC Sawgrass, experiencing successful periods during the weekend. Furthermore, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Brooks Koepka, J.J. Spaun, Corey Conners, and Sahith Theegala are among those who will complete the field, promising a thrilling conclusion to the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing.
2026 Valspar Championship schedule
Dates: March 19-22
Location: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) — Palm Harbor, Florida
Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,352 | Architect: Larry Packard
Purse: $9,100,000
2026 Valspar Championship field, odds
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
- Xander Schauffele (11-1)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (13-1)
- Viktor Hovland (17-1): Last season, the Norwegian player participated in this event with limited trust in his swing, yet he still secured the trophy, though his confidence in his swing remained somewhat low. Hovland’s showing in 2025 indicated that he is very close to another victory, potentially just needing a slight adjustment in his technique. Across six global appearances this year, Hovland has achieved four top-15 placements, notably consecutive strong finishes at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass. His short game was exceptionally strong at the Pete Dye course last week, compensating for his less-than-stellar driver performance this season.
- Akshay Bhatia (22-1)
- Jacob Bridgeman (22-1): Without suggesting Bridgeman should be the frontrunner, this betting line appears quite generous for a golfer who placed among the top three at this tournament last season, claimed victory at Riviera, and has consistently stayed within the top 20 throughout the current year. Additionally, Bridgeman secured a top-five finish at the Players Championship. His driving accuracy is excellent, and while he putted effectively on the West Coast, his comfort level on East Coast greens is noticeably higher, making him a formidable contender this week.
- Patrick Cantlay (22-1)
- Jordan Spieth (25-1): In the past three months, Spieth ranks seventh in overall strokes gained among participants, even though he has yet to secure a top-10 finish in any event. His performance across all aspects of his game is decent, with his putting showing improvement, but his driver is becoming a hindrance. This particular club was a significant asset before his wrist surgery, and it must regain that form if he hopes to be a serious contender. The 2015 victor has achieved five top-20 results in his eight previous entries.
- Ben Griffin (25-1)
- Brooks Koepka (25-1): He’s making his presence felt. The five-time major winner placed tied for 13th at the Players Championship, largely due to ranking fourth in strokes gained approach and ninth in strokes gained tee to green. Feeling highly at home in Florida, Koepka needs to maintain his strong form as he considers his itinerary after the Masters (having only secured entry to the Zurich Classic and Myrtle Beach Classic). A strong performance this week would be highly beneficial, and his current play indicates such an outcome is plausible.
- Justin Thomas (25-1): This particular course might just be due to award him a victory by now. Thomas was overtaken by Hovland at the conclusion of last season’s event and secured a T3 position in 2022 after holding the lead for a substantial portion of the competition. Across eight appearances, he has recorded six top-20 finishes, demonstrating an ability to manage his tee shots effectively without always needing his driver. Provided he consistently hits fairways, he is capable of performing strongly on this course.
