Valspar Round 1 Underway
The PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship began Round 1 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead course on March 19 with live coverage on NBC/Peacock and Golf Channel—pay attention to firm fairways and penalties for wayward tee shots. ( ) Justin Thomas is hunting a rebound, Xander Schauffele still seeks a first 2026 win, and recent winner Akshay Bhatia withdrew from the field. (golfmagic.com)
Sungjae Im leads the field after a 64 (‑7) in Round 1, with Brandt Snedeker one shot behind after a 65. (espn.com)) Xander Schauffele opened with a 68 (‑3) and sits tied for eighth after the first round. (golfweek.usatoday.com)) Justin Thomas, who was paired in a marquee group with Matthew Fitzpatrick, signed for a 69 in Round 1; his pairing was altered after Akshay Bhatia’s withdrawal. (foxsports.com)) Akshay Bhatia officially withdrew on Wednesday and was replaced in the field by Sam Ryder, with the PGA Tour not offering an explanation for the late scratch. (golfmagic.com)) The Copperhead Course is set up as a par‑71 at roughly 7,352 yards this week, and the three‑hole “Snake Pit” closing stretch — starting at the notoriously difficult 16th — remains a key weekend decision point. (espn.com)) The event carries a $9.1 million purse with the winner’s share listed at about $1.638 million, and the tournament schedule runs March 19–22 with Round 2 slated for Friday, March 20. (golfweek.usatoday.com))
