The 2025 PGA Tour is in high gear, and the upcoming Valspar Championship at the renowned Copperhead Course of Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida, promises an exciting showdown. Among the participants are 24 of the top 50 golfers globally, all set to ignite the green from March 20th to 23rd. However, not all 156 competitors will get the chance to play the weekend rounds. This is because, like most PGA Tour events, the Valspar Championship incorporates a cut.
What exactly is the cut, and how does it function in the Valspar Championship? It’s a way of trimming the participant pool following the standard PGA Tour stroke-play format. All 156 players commence the tournament on Thursday, but the landscape drastically changes after Friday’s round. After 36 holes, only the top 65 players and ties progress to participate in the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday. The rest bid the championship goodbye.
The introduction of a cut serves several purposes. It keeps the weekend rounds competitive, streamlines tournament logistics, and allows TV coverage to concentrate on the players who are still in the running. At the Copperhead Course, merely making the cut is an accomplishment in itself. This course is a far cry from a leisurely stroll, with its tight fairways, elevation changes, and the infamous ‘Snake Pit’ closing stretch that tests the mettle of even the most seasoned players. Peter Malnati emerged victorious last year with a 12-under, but many well-known faces didn’t even secure a slot for Saturday.
The Copperhead Course is unique among Florida courses in that it’s not merely flat and unassuming. It’s a formidable par-71, 7,352-yard monster that demands accuracy and endurance. It’s noteworthy that past champions have typically finished around 10 to 12 under par, a testament to the course’s challenging nature and its reluctance to yield low scores.
With a whopping $8.7 million in prize money and a $1,566,000 winner’s check up for grabs, the stakes are high right from the first tee shot. Anticipate a thrilling showdown, unexpected turn of events, and a fierce struggle to progress past Friday because that is when the real battle for the championship title commences.
Who are the players to keep an eye on this year? The list of contenders is impressive. Xander Schauffele is back into the fold after recovering from a rib injury, while Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood aim to gain momentum. 2015 champion Jordan Spieth is also making a comeback post wrist surgery. With The Masters looming, many players regard this as their final major trial before the season’s first major championship.
For those following the event from home, coverage will be divided across several networks. The initial two rounds will be showcased on the Golf Channel, whereas the weekend rounds will be broadcast on both the Golf Channel and NBC. For those who prefer streaming, various platforms like PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, Peacock, the Golf Channel app, the NBC Sports app, and NBC’s website are available. For UK fans, Sky Sports Golf will be broadcasting the event.
The Valspar Championship, with its challenging course, star-studded player lineup, and high stakes, promises to be a riveting event. Who do you predict will make the cut and clinch the trophy? Share your thoughts in the comments!