Valspar Championship Golf Predictions, Odds and PGA Tour Picks for Thursday, 03/19/26

Schauffele and defending champion Viktor Hovland have clear claims, while Matt Fitzpatrick will be eager to bounce back after having his pocket picked by Young on Sunday. However, it’s rapidly improving Jacob Bridgeman who looks the best bet from the front end of the market.

The 26-year-old Carolinian is operating at a truly elite level, finishing no worse than 18th in 7 PGA Tour starts this year, a run that included a win at the Genesis Invitational and a 5th-place finish at Sawgrass on Sunday. Bridgeman has been doing everything well – he leads the PGA Tour in total strokes gained – and has established himself as the best putter on the circuit. He held the 36-hole lead at the Valspar last year, finishing 3rd behind Hovland and Justin Thomas, and he is a much more complete, confident player now.

Putting has been an issue for Ryo Hisatsune, but he rolled his rock well when 4th in last year’s Valspar. The Japanese was 2nd in the Farmers Insurance Open in January and has been one of the best iron players on the PGA Tour this year, including when 13th last week.