Welcome to CaddyBytes' coverage of the Valspar Championship, one of the PGA Tour's most challenging Florida Swing events held annually at the renowned Innisbrook Resort. Established in 2000, this tournament has quickly become a favorite among players and fans for its demanding Copperhead Course and its position as the final event of the Florida Swing.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field of 144 players competing on one of the Tour's most respected and difficult courses. Known for its "Snake Pit" finishing holes (16, 17, and 18), the Copperhead Course provides a stern test that often determines who emerges as a genuine contender heading into the season's first major championship.
With a history that has seen dramatic finishes and memorable champions, the Valspar Championship has established itself as a crucial event on the PGA Tour calendar. Past winners include major champions like Jordan Spieth, Paul Casey (with back-to-back victories), and Sam Burns (with consecutive wins in 2021–2022). The tournament's challenging layout and strategic importance make it a must-watch event each spring.
Valspar Championship
2026 Valspar Championship
Tournament Details
Date: March 20-23, 2026
Location: Innisbrook Resort, Florida
Field: 144 PGA Tour professionals
Final event of the Florida Swing.
Tournament DetailsValspar Championship History (2000 - Present)
2026 Valspar Championship
Upcoming Event
Innisbrook Copperhead Course
Field of 144 PGA Tour players
$8.4 million purse
500 FedExCup points to winner
2025 Valspar Championship
Recent Champion
Innisbrook Copperhead Course
Final event of Florida Swing
Precedes Masters Tournament
500 FedExCup points to winner
2020s Valspar Championship
Modern Champions
Innisbrook Copperhead Course
Sam Burns won in 2021 & 2022
Taylor Moore champion in 2023
Peter Malnati won in 2024
2010s Valspar Championship
Memorable Victories
Innisbrook Copperhead Course
Paul Casey won in 2018 & 2019
Adam Hadwin champion in 2017
Jordan Spieth won in 2015
2000s Valspar Championship
Tournament Inception
Innisbrook Copperhead Course
Tournament began in 2000
John Huston first champion
K.J. Choi won in 2002 & 2006
Tournament Format
Full-Field Event
144 Players Compete
72-hole stroke play format
Top 65 and ties make the cut
Full FedExCup points awarded
Challenging Venue
Copperhead Course
Larry Packard Design
Host venue since tournament inception
Course Details:
Par 71, 7,340 yards
The Snake Pit
Famous Finishing Holes
Holes 16, 17, 18
Par-4 16th: Dogleg left
Par-3 17th: Island green style
Par-4 18th: Uphill finish
Historic Champions
Memorable Winners
Tournament Greats
Sam Burns: 2021, 2022
Paul Casey: 2018, 2019
K.J. Choi: 2002, 2006
The Valspar Championship Legacy
The Valspar Championship has established an impressive legacy as one of the PGA Tour's most respected Florida Swing events since its inception in 2000. Originally part of the spring Florida schedule, the tournament has evolved into a crucial test for players preparing for the season's first major championship, offering one of the Tour's most demanding examinations at the renowned Copperhead Course.
The tournament's unique position as the final event of the Florida Swing creates special drama and significance. With 500 FedExCup points awarded to the champion and an $8.4 million purse, the Valspar Championship often serves as a last-chance opportunity for players to secure their Masters invitations or build momentum heading into Augusta National.
Beyond the competition, the Valspar Championship's challenging "Snake Pit" finishing holes (16, 17, and 18) have become legendary on Tour, often determining the tournament winner in dramatic fashion. This three-hole stretch, consistently ranked among the Tour's most difficult, has witnessed countless pivotal moments and dramatic swings in fortune, cementing the tournament's reputation for thrilling conclusions.
As the tournament continues to thrive at the demanding Innisbrook Resort, it maintains its core identity as both a competitive showcase and a strategic proving ground. The event's challenging layout, combined with its timing on the schedule and memorable champions, has made the Valspar Championship a respected institution that perfectly captures golf's ability to test elite players under pressure while preparing them for the season's biggest stages.