Xander Schauffele will be playing the Valspar Championship, which does not mean that Innisbrook is unfamiliar territory to him.

After a nine-hole prom, Schauffele stated Wednesday that he knew what the range, the green and the chipping area looked like. I just didn’t know how. I didn’t know that the locker room was located over there. I felt like a rookie again.”

Innisbrook was his first experience as a rookie in 2017. He also spent three days as an alternate to see if there were enough players who would not withdraw. He didn’t make it to the first tee of the tournament.

Schauffele is now No. 9. He is the only player to have won an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo and a World Golf Championship.

The TPC Sawgrass memory was not far away.

Collin Morikawa and Schauffele, who were also participating in the Valspar Championship, were among those on the wrong side. They were forced to play their second round under the same conditions as Saturday’s 40 mph wind.

They missed the cut in a tournament that ended late Monday afternoon. It was a positive that both players were able to arrive early to the Valspar championship, which allowed them to get to know Copperhead, which is widely regarded as the best course for tournament golf in Florida.

“I heard great things about the golf course and it was a ball-striker’s course, which clearly suits my eye,” Morikawa said. He is a master of iron play and one of the most respected golfers.

He said, “You’re hitting all the balls off the tee. You’re having a lot o’ mid-to-long irons in some greens, and as long we can stay on the fairway, that’s kinda sticking to my strengths.”

Sam Burns, the defending champion, won for the first-time on the PGA Tour in 2013. He was one shot ahead of the leader and finished the final round with a 76.

Innisbrook is a place where good memories are waiting, once he has mastered the quick turnaround.

Burns stated that it was “kind of a blur.” “Playing on Thursday, then not playing for two more days, and then playing my second round Saturday or Sunday — wow! Sunday. It’s hard to believe that I can’t remember. It’s been an insane last five to six days.”

Schauffele would prefer to be playing at the TPC Sawgrass but he worked hard. Schauffele is not uncommon to grind on Mondays during tournament week. However, he does not do so when there is another tournament.

He enjoyed what he saw. Innisbrook is higher than most Florida courses, and water is more rare than the norm. It is only seven holes that it really comes into play. The challenge is elsewhere.

Schauffele felt it was a good place for him to begin his preparations for the Masters.

He said, “It’s difficult, and a demanding third-shot golf course.” The grass is different, the greens are different and the bunkers are different. A lot of 6- and 5-irons in small areas is second-shot. Wind can be a challenge. You need to make sure you shape the iron against it several times.”

The Valspar Championship is located in a very tight area of the schedule, right after The Players Championship’s $20 million purse, and before the $12 million Dell Match Play. This event is the last World Golf Championships event on the schedule. It still attracts a strong field.

Justin Thomas is back this year. He only misses it when the schedule becomes too busy. Dustin Johnson is also back, who was one behind going into Sunday, and then failed to make birdie in round three of Innisbrook.

Morikawa has another chance to be No. Morikawa has another chance to reach No. 1 in the world, if he wins. There is also possibility of a runner up depending on other variables. Viktor Hovland can also reach No. With a win, Viktor Hovland can also reach No.

Morikawa had a great chance of reaching No. Morikawa was ranked No. 1 in the Bahamas in December, but lost the lead by five shots in the final round. He had opportunities in Hawaii, California, and at Sawgrass last week. It is not what he has become.

He said, “I assume that if I win, I’ll get there.” “The most important thing to me is that I must focus on the course. Although I repeat this every time, there have been instances when thinking about the world No. 1. I have been thinking about these things and other things, and I need to stop worrying and get back to the game I love.”