Matt Fitzpatrick tops the list of big names heading home early from the Valspar Championship


The Valspar Championship at Innsbrook’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla., was already missing a slew of stars due to its place on the PGA Tour schedule (four of the five events leading up to the Valspar have been selected, with one more coming next week).

And after Friday’s cut was made, some of the stars who pitched it didn’t play well enough to earn a start time on Saturday.

Matt Fitzpatrick, who has struggled with his game for much of 2023, tops the list. The 13th player in the world is in the Field for next week’s WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.

Here are some of the names that missed the 1-over-143 cut in the Valspar Championship.

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Matt Fitzpatrick (3 via)

Valspar Championship 2023

Valspar Championship 2023

Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts on the third tee during round one of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 16, 2023 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Englishman’s week was ruined early Thursday afternoon when he made a nine in the par 4 third. He also made bogeys in 3rd and 5th place before playing his back nine in 3 Under to sign a 3-over-74.

His even performance on Friday morning wasn’t enough for him to recover and he went home early.

Adam Hadwin (3 over)

Valspar Championship 2023

Valspar Championship 2023

Adam Hadwin of Canada prepares to hit his shot from the eighth tee during round one of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club March 16, 2023 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Canadian got off to a great start on Thursday, opening with a 2-under 69. However, thanks to a triple bogey and a double bogey on Friday, Hadwin stumbled to a 5-over-76 in the second round.

Kevin Kisner (5 over)

Valspar Championship 2023

Valspar Championship 2023

Kevin Kisner of the United States watches from the third tee during round one of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club March 16, 2023 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Kiz played well on Friday and posted a 1-under-70. However, it wasn’t enough to bounce back from a 6-over-77 opener with eight bogeys. The fan favorite has now missed the cut in four of his last five starts.

Harry Higgs (over 9)

Harry Higgs of the United States waits to putt on the third green during round one of the Sony Open in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club on January 12, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Higgs played well on Thursday and signed for 1-under 70. However, Friday was a different story.

Not only did he make back-to-back double bogeys in courses 7 and 8 (his 16th and 17th), but he stumbled on an eight on par-3 13s. Higgs failed to break 80 and posted a 10-over-81 in the second round.

Two weeks after completing T-7 at the Puerto Rico Open (an opposite field event), Higgs leaves the Tampa area early.

Zach Johnson (over 10)

Valspar Championship 2023

Valspar Championship 2023

Zach Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the second round of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2023 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

The 2023 United States Ryder Cup captain had no game this week, posting rounds of 74-78 to win a total of 10 overs over two days.

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek



Source : sports.yahoo.com

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