The Valspar Championship has already seen several changes to its field, highlighted by the withdrawal of Akshay Bhatia on Wednesday morning.
The PGA Tour did not provide a reason for Bhatiaâs withdrawal, which is standard when players pull out before the start of a tournament. However, the timing comes just one day after Bhatia competed in a TGL playoff match at the SoFi Center, where he helped Jupiter Links advance with a win. During that appearance, he even recorded a virtual hole-in-one during practice.
Just two weeks ago, Bhatia captured his third PGA Tour title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, rallying from a five-shot deficit on the back nine before defeating Daniel Berger in a playoff at Bay Hill.
Strong Recent Form Before Withdrawal
Bhatia entered the week as one of the players to watch at Innisbrook following a stretch of impressive performances.
In addition to his win at Bay Hill, he also posted a solid result at the The Players Championship, finishing tied for 13th against one of the strongest fields of the season.
Given that recent success, his withdrawal removes a player who could have been a serious contender at the Copperhead Course. The challenging layout often rewards players who arrive in strong form, making his absence even more impactful.
Brian Campbell Withdraws Mid-Round Due to Injury
Another withdrawal came during tournament play, as Brian Campbell was forced to step away during the second round after experiencing a neck injury.
Campbell withdrew after the 16th hole, where he seemed to experience some discomfort. His struggles became noticeable on the par-4 when his tee shot found the water, and he was playing his sixth shot on the hole before ultimately deciding he could not continue.
Broadcast commentators suggested the injury may have affected his swing on that hole, noting that something seemed off physically as he attempted to finish. No further details were immediately provided, and Campbellâs group, Cam Davis and Patrick Rodgers, will now continue as a twosome.
Campbell missed the cut at the 2025 Valspar Championship (+8) and is coming off a recent missed cut at The Players Championship after rounds of 74 and 73 (3-over).
Several Notable Players Also Withdraw
Bhatia and Campbell are not the only players to exit the field recently.
Over the past 48 hours, several other notable names have also withdrawn, including:
MacIntyre finished fourth at The Players Championship, just three shots behind the winner, but indicated afterward that the emotional and physical toll of contention left him needing a break.
He admitted the pressure of being in the mix on Sunday took a toll, saying he struggled physically down the stretch while trying to chase a win. Despite his strong ball-striking and putting throughout the week, a few late mistakes cost him a chance at the title. He now opts to rest rather than immediately return to competition.
Late withdrawals are not uncommon on the PGA Tour, particularly during a busy stretch of the schedule following major events and high-profile tournaments.
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