The PGA makes its final stop of the Florida swing at Innisbrook Resort for the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. An unusual course for Florida, the climb and slope from the tee to the green at Innisbrook have lots of ups and downs and elevation changes. A par 71, there are five Par 3s, all about 175 yards or longer, and it ranks in the top 10 for toughest Par 3s on tour. Par 5s, though not arduously long, are either doggles or double doggles due to restrictive layouts.
Players who are a good fit for this course are positional golfers who see me iron play and putts. Here is a full tournament to bet on for the Valspar Championship. These selections are now 4-0-1 overall.
Wyndham Clarke (-130) vs. Maverick McNealy
Clarke was in my long list of core players who could win this tournament. I might regret leaving her. However, backing him in a one-on-one matchup is the route I would go. Clarke has done well this year with five top-40 finishes in six tournaments, including a T10 at the Phoenix Open. Fourth in the field in approach play, which gives him a huge lead over McNealy, who has missed three strokes ball-striking in his last four meetings. In two of his last three starts, McNally had to withdraw with a shoulder injury and followed that up with a T60 at The Players Championship last week.
The concern with McNealy fading is that he is a prolific short-game player who came down the field for the first stroke. McNealy lost seven strokes from tee to green, despite gaining seven strokes with the flat stick last week. McNealy, until he shows back at full strength, makes a fine fade in one-on-one matchups. Another positive for Clarke: He gained strokes in back-to-back events.