Key stat 0.607

Over-par scoring average on the final three holes of the Copperhead Course during last year’s Valspar Championship. Nicknamed the Snake Pit, the holes consist of the 475-yard par-4 16th, 215-yard par-3 17th and 445-yard par-4 18th. Last year the Snake Pit ranked as the third-toughest finishing three holes on the PGA Tour. The course also played as the third toughest to hit greens in regulation as the field hit an average of 55.74 percent.

Tee times

Defending champion Paul Casey, who held off Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed to win by one shot last year, is among the featured groups Thursday on Golf Channel’s coverage alongside world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (1:03 p.m. ET). Bubba Watson, Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk also are grouped (1:14). The groups of Jon Rahm, Webb Simpson and Jason Day (1:03) and Reed, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia (1:14) highlight Friday’s coverage.

FedExCup

Rory McIlroy, who was the FedExCup champion in 2016, went to the top of the standings with his win in last weekend’s Players Championship. There are 43 regular-season events, followed by three playoff events. Justin Rose is the defending champ.

1. Rory McIlroy ............................. 1,348

2. Xander Schauffele .................. 1,298

3. Matt Kuchar ............................. 1,275

4. Charles Howell III ..................... 1,031

5. Gary Woodland ....................... 1,026

VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Palm Harbor, Flaorida

Course: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead course)

Yardage: 7,340. Par: 71.

Purse: $6.7 million

Winner’s share: $1,206,000

TV (ET): Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (GOLF); Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (GOLF), 3-6 p.m. (NBC)