This week, Twofer Tuesday actions alongside the Florida Swing to the Valspar Championship, in which -- on the time of this writing -- 87 of the one hundred forty four area performed in THE PLAYERS remaining week.
The path? The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort, a 7340-yard par-71 format with tight riding holes and a noticeable elevation exchange from TPC Sawgrass. Probably no surprises within the climate -- dry and ordinarily sunny, despite the fact that I might not be surprised if the Snake Pit sees a little wind. It normally does.
The protecting champ? Paul Casey, who broke a 9-year PGA Tour win drought by beating Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed. Casey published early and had to watch both gamers come down the stretch... And arise one shot short.
This year's Twofer Tuesday alternatives? Here they may be:
- My Top10 pick is Dustin Johnson. DJ hasn't played the Copperhead since 2010 but he's definitely playing well, having two worldwide wins since 2019 started and coming off his first-ever Top10 at THE PLAYERS. I admit that this was a tough pick for me; I can't help but feel that Jim Furyk is on the cusp of a win, and while the Copperhead may seem a bit long for him, its tight tree-lined fairways are custom-made for such an accurate player. (He did win here in 2010.) But I'm guessing that solo second last week took something out of him while DJ is probably on a high.
- Ironically, my pick to win is Tommy Fleetwood. I say ironically because Tommy has been a bit wild with the driver over the last couple of weeks -- it cost him wins at both of his last events -- and the Copperhead is notoriously unforgiving off the tee. (It certainly bit Tiger last year!) But Tommy's struggles seem to be pressure-related and, after a couple weeks in that pressure cooker, I think he may surprise everybody. With that short game of his, he doesn't have to be perfect... just playable.
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