What to expect at the Valspar Championship, from a pro’s perspective
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) — The 2024 Valspar Championship has begun in Palm Harbor and will continue through the weekend.
Players started to tee off just after 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Most of the big-name golfers will tee off in the afternoon, but one of the players who has been in this tournament for more than 20 years tells 8 On Your Side all of the players will be worth the watch.
“Even players that the public doesn’t really know much about their names are just exceptionally good golfers,” Stewart Cink said. “A lot of these guys are the superstars of tomorrow.”
Cink is one of the names you will find on the Valspar Championship roster. He’s won six times on the PGA tour and he’s very familiar with the course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
“Going back to when I was a teenager, I used to play junior golf tournaments here so I’ve probably played in events here 30 times or more,” Cink said.
Cink said this is a challenging course and staying on the fairway is key for this tournament. An alternative is to hit the ball straight into the hole as Cink has done twice in the Valspar.
“I didn’t know I was the only player to make two hole-in-ones here but I do know that I made the holes-in-ones on the same hole,” Cink said.
Use caution on Hole 8.
“One was a 4 iron from like 240 yards and one was a 6 iron,” Cink said. “I also busted a lady’s eye out on the same hole.”
There are plenty of great spots to watch players like Cink play throughout the weekend.
“Not just bleachers but fun fan decks that anyone even with a grounds ticket can sit and watch the great activities,” Tournament Director Tracy West said.
This is a unique tournament. It’s the most colorful PGA tournament in the world.
“Putt” on your bright colors because the players won’t be the only ones winning prizes this weekend.
Scouts will go around the tournament and hand out prizes to fans wearing the brightest colors.
There are also a lot of photo opportunities.
“Valspar has areas with big paint brushes and paint cans where it looks like paint coming out of you,” West said. “[There’s] a lot of social areas where if you’re looking for that great selfie people can take.”
120,000 people are expected to go to the Valspar Championship.
Parking might be a hassle to attend this tournament. West suggests fans use a ride-share app to get there or buy parking ahead of time.
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