Valspar Championship journal: Henrik Stenson tied for second

After taking a break in 2015, DeLaet almost won past year and had the top of the leaderboard in sight heading into Sunday at -7, paired in the final group with Bill Haas (-8). A final round 72 put paid to his chances in Mexico last week but with the really big guns – DJ, Rory, Jason Day and Jordan – all missing from the field this week, Justin will surely fancy his chances at Innisbrook where he finished in the Top 20 previous year and inside the Top 10 on his event debut in 2015.

“We’ve got some work to do but I’m not too anxious about it”.

Since Trump moved into the White House, his ability to communicate with Herman has waned, although the two did play golf together a few days prior to Christmas at Trump’s course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Very similarly to PGA National’s Bear Trap, the Snake Pit consists of a three hole stretch that often determines the tournament on Sunday afternoon. At 7,340 yards for its Par 71 this isn’t the longest track in the world, and with strategic hazards and tree-lined fairways plotting your way around is better than hitting it as far as you can off the peg and hoping for the best. I feed a lot off my wins.

As usual, we need to look towards Florida and bermuda green specialists during the Florida swing. You do need length, to be able to control the ball in the wind.

Charles Howell III 3 points each way at 40/1 with Bet On Brazil – Ten straight cuts made, four top 10 finishes, top 10 the last two seasons here – green lights are flashing – overpriced again for me… get on him. “But we’re getting those probiotics in there and getting some rest, and everything is feeling pretty good”.

The surprise was Jordan Spieth, who made a decision to take two weeks off before he plays the Dell Match Play, Shell Houston Open and the Masters.

This week’s field is headlined by Henrik Stenson, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Daniel Berger.

It seems as if there is not one heavy favorite being picked this week that stands out in the field.

What stats are important this week?

Stenson’s strength is his irons, however, and he kept giving himself ample birdie chances. He placed in the top 20 of this event last year and wasn’t playing almost as well as he has been this year.

Lahiri needs to be in the top two to qualify for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and he added: “My primary target is obviously Augusta but yes I would love to play the Match Play”. The thick, bermuda rough is always a challenge, making scrambling very hard.

Herman wasn’t the only player to make some major shots on the day, however.