The 2016 Valspar Championship isn't packed with stars, but it remains an important event for those looking to build some steam as The Masters approaches. Jordan Spieth is one of those PGA Tour pros looking to rebound after an uncharacteristically poor performance at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
Spieth (5/1) and Henrik Stenson (15/1) are the favorites to win the Valspar, but before we get into more odds and the official tee times, here are three questions for the upcoming PGA tournament.
Can Spieth get back on track?
In his last two tournaments, the 22-year-old tied for 21st at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, got cut at the Northern Trust Open and finished tied for 17th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. That's not the norm for Spieth, considering last season he finished tied for seventh, tied for fourth and tied for 17th (again), respectively, in each of these tournaments.
He also won the Valspar last year with a cumulative score of 10-under par, defeating Patrick Reed and Sean O'Hair in a three-hole playoff. Spieth has an excellent opportunity to do that again as he sits squarely in the spotlight amongst this year's field.
Will Danny Willett finish in the top-3 again?
Willett has played in just two PGA tournaments this season, tying for third in both the WGC-HSBC and WGC-Cadillac. The 28-year-old has spent most of his time on the European Tour and won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic back in early February, but he's certainly proven he is among the best on the PGA Tour - he was recently given the No. 11 spot on the World Golf Ranking.
The Englishman didn't participate in the event last year, but he's among the top golfers heading to Innisbrook Resort this year. At 20/1 (third overall in the odds), he's a good bet to win the Valspar considering the strength of the field.
What young golfer will make some noise?
Justin Thomas? Daniel Berger? Lee McCoy?
Thomas won the CIMB Classic back in November; Berger is still looking to build off his successful rookie season, and McCoy is heading into his fourth career PGA Tour event. The long Cooperhead Course could prove advantageous for Thomas and Berger, both of whom rank 18th and 27th on the PGA Tour in average driving distance. As for McCoy, he's familiar with Innisbrook's Copperhead Course, having grown up in the area.
Spieth was the young golfer to win the Valspar last year and parlay that victory into two major triumphs (The Masters and U.S. Open) as well as top-4 finishes at the Open Championship and PGA Championship. Will another young golfer begin his hot streak at this year's Valspar tournament?
Click here for tomorrow's tee times and check out the odds for each golfer here.
