2026 Valspar Championship Preview & Prediction: Viktor Hovland Aims For Repeat Title
Updated 09 Jul, 2026
The 2026 Valspar Championship, set for March 19–22 at the famed Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, kicks off the final leg of the PGA Tour’s Florida swing with an interesting field. As players transition from the intensity of The Players Championship, huge names like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are not in the field for this event. But there are still plenty of quality golfers trying to get their hands on this title and we'll break down the field and the course right here.
Among the headline names headlining the field for this tournament is Xander Schauffele, who enters as an early favorite following a strong run of form that includes a top‑three finish at The Players Championship, where his ball‑striking and short game returned to elite levels. The defending champion, Viktor Hovland, also figures prominently on many betting boards after his 2025 victory at Innisbrook, though he enters amidst questions about his recent form and whether back‑to‑back peak titles here are in the cards. Other major names such as Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas add further depth to the field and could be enticing options for bettors looking beyond the chalk.
Notably, a few contenders have withdrawn from the event, including Robert MacIntyre, who had posted several strong recent results and was expected to contend. This opens up additional opportunities in the mid‑range and long‑shot categories as replacements fill out the starting field.
The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is a par‑71 measuring roughly 7,350 yards. Known for its narrow fairways, dense tree lines, the venue demands more than just length off the tee. Players must place shots and manage their approach distances carefully, particularly as they approach the infamous “Snake Pit” finishing stretch, consisting of holes 16 through 18, which often decides tournaments here. Water comes into play on multiple holes, and relatively firm conditions typically emphasize precision over power. Winning scores frequently settle in the 10‑12 under par range, meaning consistent ball striking and a strong short game usually separate the contenders from the pack.
Pick: JJ Spaun to win with a projected final score of −11 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
Schauffele’s form this season and his recent performances at high‑pressure events make him a justified favorite here. His consistent approach play and ability to scramble around demanding greens align well with the challenges posed by Copperhead. While Hovland’s defending champion status and Fitzpatrick’s iron play are attractive, Schauffele’s overall game offers the best combination of course fit, recent momentum, and upside relative to odds.
But instead of taking Schauffele to win this tournament, I'm going to look a little further down the list at JJ Spaun. Spaun is comparable to Schauffele in terms of his shots gained stats and his game should also translate well to this course over the course of this week. At +2900, Spaun is a better value and that's where I'll go in the outright winner market at the Valspar Championship.
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