Valuable Insights From Valspar Championship 2025

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Valspar Championship kicks off this weekend from March 20-23 at the Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida, promising to be a thrilling event in the golf calendar. With a purse of $8.7 million and a $1.566 million winner's share, the tournament attracts some of the best talents on the tour, including three former Alabama men's golfers: Davis Riley, Bud Cauley, and Justin Thomas.

As the field closes the Florida Swing, expectations are high. Among the notable contenders is Justin Thomas, who enters the tournament ranked No. 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) and No. 17 in the FedExCup Standings. He will tee off at 1:23 p.m. CT on March 20, paired with Karl Villips and Jordan Spieth. Coming off a 33rd-place finish at last week’s Players Championship, which featured an impressive second round of 10-under-par 62, Thomas aims to regain momentum. "I try to keep it as simple as possible. Just keep practicing the way that got me here," he noted.

Bud Cauley, another Alabama alum, will start his rounds at 12:50 p.m. CT on March 20. The golfer finished T6th in the Players Championship, propelling him to 47th position in the FedExCup standings. His consistent performance includes a T21st finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this season. He commented, "I've made the cut in four tournaments and finished among the top 30 three times this season; it feels good to stay competitive."

Meanwhile, Davis Riley is set to tee off at 8:08 a.m. CT on March 20. His recent form shows promise, having tied for sixth at the Puerto Rico Open while posting an 18-under-par 270 score. “Every round is a chance to improve and learn,” Riley said, expressing his determination as the season progresses.

A highlight story this week is Kieron van Wyk, a college senior from South Africa, who earned his spot at the Valspar Championship after finishing fourth at the Puerto Rico Open with an impressive score of 19-under 269. "I'm pretty proud of the way I played. I think I impressed myself as well," van Wyk shared, recalling how he was just one shot off the lead after 54 holes. As he prepares to tee off at 9:36 a.m. CT on March 20, he reflects on his journey and the valuable experiences gained during his time on the PGA Tour.

Van Wyk’s success has not been limited to just this championship. Earlier this year, he made headlines as the first amateur to win on the APGA Tour by clinching the Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines after a playoff. This moment stands out as a crucial milestone in a promising career. “What the APGA is doing is awesome. It gives kids from different backgrounds opportunities to play and get experience on good golf courses,” he explained, underlining the need for diversity and inclusion in the sport.

As the Valspar Championship unfolds, the air is thick with anticipation. Fans can tune in to watch the event on the Golf Channel from 1-5 p.m. CT on March 20 and 21, and from 12-2 p.m. on March 22 and 23. NBC joins the action on the last weekend of the tournament, airing live from 2-5 p.m. CT. This year’s competition promises to showcase not only seasoned veterans like Thomas, Cauley, and Riley but also rising stars like van Wyk, who hopes to inspire a new generation of golfers.

In addition to these players, other notable competitors include Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood, who are all vying for the coveted championship title. Quotes from experts suggest that Fleetwood and Schauffele are among the favorites, with odds at +1100 and +1200, respectively. “Tommy Fleetwood has performed well at the Copperhead in previous years, making him a contender to watch,” a betting expert noted.

This year's Valspar Championship not only signifies a key point in the PGA Tour calendar but represents the culmination of the Florida Swing, where players aim to cap off their performances on a high note. With the event attracting such a diverse array of talent, it confirms golf’s ongoing evolution, as enhanced opportunities emerge for players from all backgrounds, as emphasized by van Wyk’s story.

As the championship commences, it will be interesting to see who will emerge victorious this weekend. Will the established pros take the title, or will an underdog like van Wyk surprise everyone? Fans are eagerly waiting as the tournament promises competitive rounds filled with thrills, challenges, and celebrations of outstanding golfing talent.