Four storylines for the Valspar Championship: Beware of the 'Snake Pit'

After a dramatic finish at the Players Championship, the PGA Tour continues its Florida Swing this week with the Valspar Championship from the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort. With multiple big names teeing it up in Tampa, let's check out the four juiciest storylines for the Valspar Championship. 

Who can tame the "Snake Pit" at Innisbrook?

If you want to succeed at the Copperhead Course, you must survive the infamous "Snake Pit" without any bites. The three-hole gauntlet, which is one of the toughest finishing stretches on the PGA Tour, goes a long way in deciding the Valspar Championship winner.

The "Snake Pit" starts with the 475-yard 16th hole, a demanding par 4 with water down the right side of the fairway. Then comes the 215-yard par-3 17th, which features a narrow green surrounded by three deep bunkers. Players finish out on the 445-yard 18th, a narrow par 4 that demands an accurate tee shot in between a bevy of trees and well-placed fairway bunkers. 

Avoid the trouble at the "Snake Pit," and you might just have a chance on Sunday. 

Viktor Hovland in strong form ahead of title defense

Hovland, the reigning champion of the Valspar Championship, returns to Innisbrook with a repeat in mind. The Norwegian is coming off back-to-back T13 finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship, and he ranks 16th on the PGA Tour this season in strokes gained on approach. 

Thanks to his win last season and his T3 in 2021, Hovland ranks No. 1 in Data Golf's Course History Tool at the Copperhead Course. It would be no surprise if he contended for another win this year.

Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka look to stay hot

Thomas and Koepka were two players in desperate need of some momentum with the Masters less than a month away, and that's exactly what they got at the Players Championship.