Power Rankings: Take Precision Over Distance at Valspar Championship
Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete. This week the PGA Tour moves across Florida to Tampa and the Valspar Championship.
2024 Valspar Championship Preview
Designed by Larry Packard and opened in 1970, the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is known for its daunting “Snake Pit” finish. Spanning 7,340 yards at par-71, the course emphasizes strategic play over sheer power, and the fairways are generally narrow and lined with towering pines that demand accuracy off the tee. The greens are known for firmness and subtle contours. Here are the players our model likes this week:
USA Today
KeyCompete’s 2024 Valspar Championship Power Rankings
1) Xander Schauffele (+800): Enters as the betting favorite thanks to remarkable consistency and recent near-miss at the Players. Well-suited game for the Copperhead Course.
2) Brian Harman (+2200): Grit and determination are a great match here. T2 last week at Sawgrass.
3) Sam Burns (+1100): Hard to overlook as a two-time winner here. Aggressive play and ability to go low on tough tracks make him a prime candidate once again.
4) Jordan Spieth (+1400): Creative shot-making and unparalleled short game make him formidable. T3 here last year.
5) Justin Thomas (+1400): Elite iron play, mental toughness and scoring ability pair well with Copperhead. Three straight finishes of T13 or better here.
6) Cameron Young (+2200): Power could be the difference-maker if he can control it.
7) Tony Finau (+2200): If he can dial in his irons and putt consistently, should be in the mix.
8) Min Woo Lee (+3000): Dynamic play and fearless attitude make him a potential breakout. Trending in the right direction.
9) Doug Ghim (+5500): Sleeper. Five straight top 20s on Tour.
10) Nick Taylor (+3300): Precision and ability to manage his game will work well here.
About Last Week
Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1, firmly established himself as the best player on the planet with a Sunday 64 and comeback victory. Wyndham Clark's dream of a playoff was cruelly dashed by a lipped-out putt, but we certainly noted his grit, determination and shotmaking, which will continue to serve him well going forward.
KeyCompete carries a 49-38 record on the season, with a lifetime win rate at more than 65%. Our model continues to thrive!