The 2025 Valspar Championship is primed to be an exciting finale to the Florida Swing, showcasing some of the strongest talent in professional golf. Taking place this weekend at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, the tournament will feature a host of top-tier players vying for a generous prize purse.
This year, the field includes notable golfers such as Justin Thomas, ranked 10th in the world, Xander Schauffele at 3rd, and Tommy Fleetwood, currently sitting at 9th. They will all be looking to clinch the trophy as the tournament kicks off on March 20, 2025.
Last year’s champion, Peter Malnati, captivated fans with an impressive performance, finishing the 2024 Valspar Championship at 12-under-par. His final round 4-under 67 helped him fend off the competition, securing victory over Cameron Young by two strokes while also outpacing Chandler Phillips and Mackenzie Hughes. Malnati took home $1.512 million from the $8.4 million purse, establishing himself as a golfer to watch going forward.
For this year’s event, the total purse has increased to $8.7 million, with the winner set to earn a hefty $1.566 million. The payouts for the top ten finishers include $948,300 for second place, $600,300 for third, and various amounts decreasing down to $237,075 for the tenth position. The significant prize money reflects the growing interest in the tournament, attracting elite competitors.
Golf predictions are swirling around the current field as analysts pick out potential frontrunners. Stephen Hennessey, the deputy managing editor at Golf Digest, noted that “Willy Z’s irons were hot last week, gaining over a stroke per round at TPC Sawgrass.” This suggests that Will Zalatoris, with odds of 45-1 from FanDuel, may have a strong performance in store. He will need to capitalize on his iron play, particularly at Copperhead, which has historically favored players who stay steady on approach shots.
Brandon Gdula, managing editor at FanDuel and numberFire, also pointed to Tommy Fleetwood as a key player. He remarked, “Fleetwood has two top-16 results at Copperhead in two career starts.” Fleetwood's current odds are favorable at 11-1, positioning him as a likely contender for the title, especially with unpredictable weather conditions expected this week that could play into the strengths of certain players.
Another name to watch is Michael Kim, evaluated by Pat Mayo, an analyst at Underdog/Fantasy National and Mayor Media Network, who stated, “If not now, when?” Having performed well tee-to-green in the last 24 rounds, Kim enters the tournament with promising momentum and odds of 33-1 from BetMGM. His increasing consistency may allow him to break through for a win in Florida.
Looking back over past performances at the Copperhead Course, Sam Burns stands out. Burns has secured victories at this venue, having gained the most strokes here over the last five years, including consecutive wins in 2021 and 2022. Alongside fellow competitors Justin Thomas and Lucas Glover, who also have strong course history, they will be aiming to make a mark this weekend.
As excitement escalates around the Valspar Championship, it’s crucial to consider the broader competition landscape. Rory McIlroy holds the lead in the PGA money rankings, sitting at over $8.79 million following his recent victory at the Players Championship. Other top earners this year include Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa with impressive totals as well, highlighting how competitive the tour remains.
The Valspar Championship promises to be a thrilling watch, featuring passionate competition for not just the title but also significant prize earnings. With the stakes higher than ever and a field peppered with talent, fans can anticipate memorable moments and perhaps a few surprises as the tournament unfolds. As players take to the course at Innisbrook, all eyes will be on the top names as they pursue golf glory this weekend.
