The 2025 Valspar Championship is off to an exciting start in Palm Harbor, Florida, where the best in golf are set to compete on the famed Copperhead Course from March 20 to 23. This tournament marks the conclusion of the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour.
With a total purse of $8.7 million, the Championship also offers 500 FedEx Cup points and has attracted 18 of the top 50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). World No. 3 Xander Schauffele headlines the field, hoping to regain momentum following a long recovery from a rib injury that kept him sidelined for two months.
Notably, several marquee names will be vying for the title, including former champion Jordan Spieth, who is looking for a resurgence after offseason surgery. Spieth, who won this event in 2015, is set to play alongside rising star Karl Vilips and fellow competitor Justin Thomas during Round 1. Their tee time is scheduled for 1:23 p.m. ET on March 20.
Schauffele and his playing partners, Sepp Straka and Adam Scott, will kick off their day earlier at 8:13 a.m. ET from the 10th tee. Among other notable players in the mix are Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Thomas, and previous champion Peter Malnati, who aims to become the third player ever to win back-to-back Valspar Championships.
With conditions appearing challenging due to expected strong winds of about 30 mph and potential rain during the opening rounds, competitors will face a formidable test. Tee times for the initial round have grouped players into threes, starting at 7:35 a.m. with Danny Willett leading off on the 1st tee alongside Rico Hoey and Chandler Phillips.
The tournament's format consists of 72 holes of stroke play, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend rounds after the first two days. Coverage will be provided on Golf Channel and NBC, offering golf fans extensive viewing options to enjoy every swing and putt from the Copperhead Course.
For those planning to tune in, Golf Channel will broadcast the Championship on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m. ET. Weekend coverage will shift to NBC, airing Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. ET and again from 3 to 6 p.m. ET, with the same schedule set for Sunday.
Meanwhile, streaming options are plentiful through PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, providing exclusive online coverage beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET on the tournament's opening day. With excitement brewing among fans and players alike, the Valspar Championship promises to deliver spectacular moments on the verdant fairways of Florida.
As the players prepare for their strategies against challenging course conditions, early favorites like Xander Schauffele, who finished poorly in recent tournaments, will be hoping to find their rhythm quickly. Schauffele tied for 40th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and finished last among those who made the cut at The Players Championship.
With several rising talents and past winners gracing the course, golf enthusiasts are in for a treat as they watch the best compete in this prestigious event. As the stakes rise, spectators will anticipate close contests, impressive skills, and the sheer thrill of championship golf.
The tension in the air is palpable as players gear up for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied history of the Valspar Championship.
