TAYLOR MOORE TO DEFEND AGAINST ELITE FIELD
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2024
For Immediate Release: February 22, 2024
Taylor Moore is looking forward to defending his first PGA TOUR title next month at the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor (March 18-24).
“It’s always your dream to win a PGA TOUR event” said Moore at the tournament’s Media Day on Tuesday. “The fact that my first one came on such a great golf course in a tournament with so much history, makes it even better. I can’t wait to be back here next month with a chance to win again.”
If Moore does become the third player to defend a Valspar crown, it will come against an exceptional field. Tournament Director Tracy West announced Tuesday that Justin Thomas, Sahith Theegala and Sepp Straka, all in the Top 30 of the current Official World Golf Ranking, have recently committed to the tournament.
“This is shaping up as one of our best fields ever,” says Tournament Director Tracy West. “At the moment, we have 10 of the top 30 and 18 of the top 50 in OWGR. And we are hopeful to be adding more in the four weeks remaining to the tournament.”
Sam Burns (OWGR #18) is one of the three other players who have successfully defended their Valspar title (2021-2022). He is in the current field, along with other past champions Gary Woodland (2011), Luke Donald (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015, OWGR #13) and Adam Hadwin (2017, OWGR #45).
Patrick Cantlay (OWGR #6) is returning for the first time since his runner-up finish in the 2017 Valspar Championship. Cameron Young (OWGR #23), Matthieu Pavon (OWGR #27) and Will Zalatoris (OWGR #32 after his runner-up finish at last week’s Genesis Invitational) are among the prominent players who will be making their first appearance in the Valspar.
Selected by the PGA TOUR as the Most Fan First PGA Tour Event in 2023, the Valspar Championship will again make the tournament appealing to fans of all levels of golf interest.
Country music star Cole Swindell will appear for a full concert on the neighboring Osprey Driving Range shortly after the conclusion of play on Saturday, March 23 (free to all patrons). There will be many “Open To All” Complimentary Seating Areas with upscale menu offerings, a large Fan Expo and numerous “Shot Spots” and a decorated mini-home exhibition, featuring Valspar’s Color of the Year “Renew Blue.”