Open champion Henrik Stenson returns from illness to headline the field at this week’s Valspar Championship, live on Sky Sports.
The Swede’s first appearance of 2017 on the PGA Tour lasted just 11 holes at the WGC-Mexico Championship, where Stenson withdrew mid-round due to a stomach virus.
Stenson had been on a run of six consecutive worldwide top-10s prior to his brief appearance in Mexico City, with the 40-year-old heading to Florida chasing a first victory since lifting the Claret Jug in the summer.
Field
The par-71 Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort offers one off the toughest finishing stretches on the PGA Tour, with the final three holes making up “The Snake Pit”.
Four of the world’s top 15 and eight of the world’s top 30 are scheduled to appear this week, with world No 6 Stenson joined by Justin Thomas – already a three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season.
Patrick Reed can return to the world’s top 10 with a big weekend at Innisbrook Resort, while two-time major champion Bubba Watson makes his first appearance in the event since 2011.
Currently on a major medical exemption, Ian Poulter is involved this week and needs to earn another $199,181 from his next five starts to retain his PGA Tour card.
History
Charl Schwartzel claimed a narrow victory in last year’s event, pipping Bill Haas in a play-off to secure his first victory since the 2011 Masters.
The previous year’s tournament also failed to find a winner in 72 holes, with Jordan Spieth prevailing at the third extra hole to claim his first of five worldwide wins in 2015.
Retief Goosen and K.J Choi are the only multiple winners of the event, which first featured on the PGA Tour in 2000, with former world No 1’s Vijay Singh and Luke Donald also among the former champions.
TV coverage
All four days will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf – with live coverage beginning from 7pm for the opening two rounds and 6pm over the weekend.
There’s also live featured group coverage available for the opening two rounds, with the bonus action available from noon on Thursday and Friday via the red button, Sky Sports Xtra and the Sky Sports for iPad app.
Featured groups (all times BST)
Thursday
12.45pm Patrick Reed, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els
12.56pm Henrik Stenson, Charl Schwartzel and Bubba Watson
Friday
12.45pm Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Steve Stricker
12.56pm Bill Haas, Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland
Watch the Valspar Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf
