The Copperhead course at Innisbrook has, historically, proved one of the more difficult tests on the Tour each year and there is no reason to think it won’t be again.

The course has its own version of the Honda Classic’s irritating ‘Bear Trap’ in the form of the equally overhyped and annoying ‘Snake Pit’, the last three holes of the course.

While the Bear Trap has a plaque to announce its existence, this trio takes things up a notch with a hideous and frankly terrifying statue of a snake wrapped around a tree greeting players at the 16th tee.

It’s gimmicky and unseemly but does neatly encapsulate the difficulty of the final three holes which are always among the most difficult the players face all year.

It will be talked about ad nauseum this week – which will be infuriating – but with the sound turned down it is also likely this is where the tournament will be decided.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Sam Burns announced his arrival as one of the Tour’s rising stars with a maiden victory thanks to an impressive final round.

RIGHT: Sam Burns claimed his first PGA Tour win here last year. PHOTO: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images.

Having twice held 54-hole leads earlier in the season without being able to convert, Burns finally got across the line with a three shot win over Keegan Bradley.

Bradley was the chief architect of his own demise when, tied for the lead with Burns through 12 holes, he made double bogey after finding water at the par-3 13th.

Burns then crushed any hopes Bradley may have held with a birdie at the next and despite a bogey at the final hole was a comfortable winner.

COURSE: The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook resort in Florida won’t win many accolades from those with an interest in course architecture but it does provide a stern test for the Tour each year.

One of four courses at the sprawling property, it is a 1970’s design by Larry Packard and very much of its time.

Narrow and tree lined, the Copperhead is a test of execution and accuracy, particularly off the tee.

Finding the greens is dependent on finding the fairways and even at this level of the game that makes for a gruelling four days.

Winning scores since the tournament was founded in 2000 often don’t reach double digits under par, testament to its difficulty for a field of this calibre.

The final three holes will grab much of the attention and that is to be expected as all three historically average over par and ensure an exciting finish most years.

A player nursing a two or three shot lead will rightly still feel nervous standing on the 16th tee knowing they are as likely to drop shots on the closing stretch as they are unlikely to gain them.

After a good week last week at TPC Sawgrass, Viktor Hovland is a player to watch at the Valspar. PHOTO: David Canon/Getty Images.

Water is in play for any shot leaking right at the long par-4 16th while the second shot is long and demanding.

Deep bunkers await anything off line at the long par-3 17th while at the last, fairway bunkers and an off-set green make finding both targets difficult, especially under late final round pressure.

PRIZEMONEY: US$7,800,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Five of the world’s top-10 players are in the field this week but one stands out as a likely contender and perfect fit for this course.

Collin Morikawa missed the cut at The Players but should be much more comfortable on debut this week at a course which asks questions for which he has the answers.

Iron play is a strength of his game and that will be at a premium this week in Florida.

Fellow young gun Viktor Hovland is on a hot streak after yet another top-10 at Sawgrass and must be mentioned as a chance at any event where he tees up at the minute.

RIGHT: The foreboding statue of a Copperhead snake that signals the start of the 'Snake Pit' at the Valspar. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

He will have especially good memories this week after finishing T3 last year on the back of a best of the day Sunday 65 and his confidence will – rightly – be high Thursday morning.

Of the less obvious names Matt Fitzpatrick is one whose game should be suited by the course despite missing the cut at his only previous appearance in 2018 and again last week at The Players.

However, his play leading up to Sawgrass (where he was on the ‘bad’ side of the draw) was trending nicely and he will be keen to bounce back this week.

Keegan Bradley shared the 54-hole lead last year before a back nine crumble and after an impressive week at The Players warrants consideration this week.

Also worth considering will be Abraham Ancer who has a good record at the tournament (outright fifth last year) and is also in decent form after a mid-field finish last week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 266 (-18, Vijay Singh, 2004)

18-HOLE RECORD: 61 (Padraig Harington, 2012)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: John Senden (2014)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Jason Day, Mark Hensby and Cameron Percy.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am –9am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 9am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 9am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 9am)
*AEDT, check local guides