Valspar Championship Betting Preview

The Copperhead Course outside of Tampa is part of the Innisbrook Resort. Copperhead plays as a par-71 and approximately 7,340 yards. The Larry Packard-designed course features tree-lined fairways and requires accuracy off the tee.

A player favorite, the course showcases one of the most challenging three-hole stretches in golf. Named the ‘Snake Pit,’ the final three holes are notorious for given professional players fits as they complete their round.

What Happened in 2019

Casey finished the final round with a 72 (+1), but it was just enough to win, finishing one stroke in front of Jason Kokrak and Louis Oosthuizen. Casey’s victory was his second one-shot victory in a row at the Valspar, defeating Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed in 2018. Bubba Watson and Sungjae Im wrapped up the top-5, finishing 5-under. 

An Eye on the Field

The Valspar welcomes four of the world’s top-10 golfers (Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Tyrrell Hatton) to the Tampa area this weekend. Johnson is coming off a T13 at the RBC Heritage while Thomas is teeing it up for the first time since a T21 at the Masters.

Phil Mickelson makes his return to Tampa, playing in the Valspar for the first time since 2004. The five-time major champion hasn’t played competitive golf since a T21 finish at Augusta earlier this month.

Players to Watch

We looked at the odds, checked past results, and dove into the statistics to compile a list of our favorite players heading into the weekend. Odds are in parentheses beside each player’s name.

Justin Thomas (+1000)

Hard to argue going against the chalk on this one. Thomas is the #2 player in the world but the betting favorite to win this weekend. He won the Players and added four top-20 finishes over seven starts.

Corey Conners (+1800)

Conners has had recent success in Florida tournaments, posting a solo third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a solo seventh at the Players during the March swing. He ranks 10th in driving accuracy and 9th in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green.

Paul Casey (+2200)

Casey is the two-time defending champion and having a successful start to 2021. The 43-year old missed the cut at the RBC Heritage but has six top-15 finishes in eight starts, including a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour in January. 

Emiliano Grillo (+4500)

A long shot, Grillo is an excellent ball-striker, ranking 10th in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee. The 28-year old finished T2 at the RBC Heritage and has seven other top-25 finishes to his name this season.

Justin Rose (+5000)

The price tag here for Rose seems too good to be true. Rose has had success here (T5 in 2018 and T8 in 2014). The 40-year old had a shaky start to the season but finished solo seventh at the Masters and T11 last weekend at the Zurich Class.