Some of the players have hardly had time to catch their breath as the PGA Tour remains in the Sunshine State for The Valspar Championship at Copperhead, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida.
After last week’s epic Players Championship with the weather playing its part, some players, including the eventual winner Cameron Smith, may be feeling a little lethargic after taking on Sawgrass over five long days.
The 144 field, with again the top 65 including ties making the cut, will all be playing for the $7.8m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and $1.24m.
Copperhead will be playing 7,340 yards this week. It’s a testing par 71 parkland track so again just like last week, birdies will be at a premium.
Sam Burns returns to defend his title, we selected him last year to win this and he duly obliged so let’s hope we can do the same again this year.
Last week the Naps landed yet again on both the PGA & DP World Tours so I’m delighted to keep the unbeaten Naps record going so far this year.
We got a decent run for our money with Russel Henley 80/1 at The Players Championship and Brandon Stone 66/1 over at the MyGolfLifeOpen but both fell just a little short of the places. This golf gig can be tough at times and, as I’ve mentioned previously, it’s all about patience and timing although I could have kicked myself as I had Cameron Smith on my shortlist at 33/1.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout with little or no breezes to cause any problems, unlike last week.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 11.30 GMT on Thursday morning.
So let’s move on with this weeks selections for The Valspar Chsmpionship as part of the Florida swing.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
For my first and main selection I’m going to advise Matthew Fitzpatrick 25/1 EW Bet365.
Listen, forgive me for sticking with Fitzy who was also my main selection last week but I’ve just got a feeling he’s going to win on the PGA Tour soon. I’m more than willing to forget about last week as Fitzpatrick got a raw deal with the weather and also time slots.
The 27 year old from Sheffield, England has a victory, a runners-up medal and five Top 10 finishes in his last nine attempts so he definitely has the form in the bag despite eventually missing the cut at Sawgrass. In fact in Fitzy’s past ten tournaments he has finished inside the Top 20 on seven occasions.
He won the Andalucia Masters and was runner-up at the DP World Tour Championship. With seven DP World Tour titles already in the bag, Fitzpatrick will be aiming to get that PGA crown in there with them anytime soon and I’m more than willing to give the Englishman another chance again this week to win The Valspar Championship at a venue that will more than suit his game.
Justin Thomas
For my next selection I’m going to single out Justin Thomas 10/1 Paddy Power.
The 28 year old from Louisville, Kentucky was 33rd last week at The Players Championship but hey, that’s more than respectable in those tricky conditions.
What I’m concentrating on is the previous eight events where JT finished no worse than 20th place. It actually reads much better as six of those finishes were Top 10s and better still, four were in the Top 5.
It’s hard to believe he never won any of them as he was in contention at most.
JT has played at five events this year, the best of those include T5th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, T8th at the Phoenix Open and 6th at the Genesis Invitational.
Last year’s Players Championship winner has definitely found a groove and with recent performances being so good then surely another crown will be delivered soon to the already busy trophy cabinet.
JT was 13th at last year’s Valspar so knows how to handle this tricky track and it would come as no surprise to see JT deliver yet again as he has on so many other occasions on the PGA Tour.
Keegan Bradley
For my next pick, if the odds for JT aren’t tasty enough for you then I’m going to look for some good old value and point you in the direction of Keegan Bradley 45/1 EW BetVictor 1-6 places.
The 35 year old from Woodstock is flashing up on the radar with some fine recent performances. The USPGA Championship winner was impressive at The Players Championship last week amid very testing conditions which makes the 5th place even more spectacular. He also finished 11th before that event at The Arnold Palmer Invitational.
I’ll tell you what’s made my mind up about Bradley this week, he was runner-up at this event last year to Sam Burns so he definitely enjoys this event and has all the tools in the in the bag to conquer this demanding Copperhead lay out. That’s important as he will come here knowing and believing he can win it and has a realistic chance.
He has won four events on the PGA Tour including a major and with what I’m witnessing recently, I think the firms may have overlooked Bradley’s chances this weekend and the 45/1 on offer looks very generous and tempting.
With a place in the top six returning a tidy profit, my advice is back Keegan Bradley to keep up the amazing form with a victory in Florida this weekend.
Keegan Bradley v Brian Harman
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet which has been so kind to us. This week I want to continue that trend so I’m going to stick with Keegan Bradley again but this time to beat Brian Harman over the 72 holes 10/11 Nap Betfair.
The Valspar Championship Tips
- Matthew Fitzpatrick 25/1 EW Bet365
- Justin Thomas 10/1 EW Paddy Power
- Keegan Bradley 45/1 EW BetVictor
- Keegan Bradley to beat Brian Harman, 10/11 Nap , Betfair , 72 hole matchbet
The post Golf Betting Tips: The Valspar Championship Preview & Predictions appeared first on MrFixitsTips.