It was a bang average week last week considertng four out of our five tips made it through the 36 hole cut but demorilising that none of them ever really threatened the top 10 on the leaderboard, 3 guys finished T18 and one finished T25. It wasn't bad scoring wise but just too many bogies hindered their efforts.
300/1 shot Dan Bradbury won the Joburg Open by a margin of 3 strokes. Dan was playing on a sponsor's invite for the Joburg Open in what was his 3rd DP World Tour start. A career and life changing victory to say the least for the young Englishmen that was never on our radar to compete this week.
The win will gain him invites to many tournaments during the DP World Tour season and even some of the Majors.
Hero World Challenge Betting Odds
This week its back over to the PGA Tour, where a limited field of 20 players will travel to the Albany Course in the area of New Province, Bahamas. This will be the 7th renewal of this event after moved here from Florida in 2015. The 2020 edition was unfortunately missed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions it caused. The 20 players did include the tournament host Tiger Woods, but unfortunately news broke that he has had to withdraw with a foot injury.
Albany Course
- Par 72, 7302 yards
- Ernie Els desgin, 2010
- 5 x Par 3s - ranging from 179-217 yards
- 8 x Par 4s - ranging from 306-517 yards
- 5 x Par 5s - ranging from 552-632 yards
- Bermuda Fairways, Greens
- Linksy feel to the course
- No trees, course is exposed
- Plenty of water in play with numerous bunkers, sandy waste areas/sand dunes
What a golf course we have on offer this week ladies and gentlemen. Designed perfectly from Tee to Green by Ernie Els, every club in the bag is tested, whether its from players avoiding the water/sand dunes off the tee to the scrambling from the sharply cut, Bermuda run off areas from around the greens. Winds are high this week in this area of the island, so players will know they've been involved in a golf tournament this week come Sunday!
Apart from the two drivable Par 4 holes, this is a classic second shot course. Landing areas on these fairways are quite generous so driving won't be too difficult for the guys as long as they do not find the water first. The tournament will be won by the players hitting these pretty large greens in the right places and holding them in regulation when conditions dry up the further into the week we go.
Course Set Up
The Albany Course is a simple Par 72, measuring just over 7300 yards on paper. But, when you have a further look at the hole layouts, you will see that we have lost two Par 4s and gained a Par 3 and a Par 5 in terms of how a normal Par 72 course sets up on Tour. So, we are left with 5 x Par 3s, 8 x Par 4s and 5 x Par 5s.
Four out of the five Par 3s this week play either over water or the green is right next to a body of water. As the wind gets up, these holes can become tretorous for the guys and especially the three over 200 yards, these may be holes they want to score a three on and run!
The Par 4s and 5s is where the players will score this week, baring they hit the fairways first. Carefully placed bunkers and sand dunes will effect the directions of certain tee shots on some of the longer holes, so players will have to navigate this first to set up their scoring opportunity.
Two drivable Par 4s will set up for some great viewing, especially if they play down wind to encourage all of these guys to go for the green in one off the tee.
Four of the Par 4s are under 450 yards this week (including to two drivable Par 4s at 306 and 362 yards) but then the course also has 4 Par 4s over 450 yards. With two pretty hefty ones at 498 and 512 yards, the players will have to provide two perfect shots to score well on these holes in particular.
Three out of the Par 5s this week are below 600 yards, meaning they are two shot holes for all of this field, with the best of the best ball strikers being able to hit all five of these Par 5s in 2 shots this week.
Stats for this Week
Annoyingly, no performance stats have ever been recorded at the Hero World Challenge, so we are playing a guessing game somewhat. However, it does help that roughly the same group of guys come here each year and we have seen this course now 6 times.
- Driving Accuracy
- SG: Approach/Greens in Regulation
- Form in the desert
Short and simple this week.
Driving Accuracy will play a part for sure. I understand that above I put that landing areas are generous, however all players will have to ensure they avoid leaving themselves with a forced chip out if they find these deep bunkers/waste areas or leave themselves behind one of these natural grassy bushes in the sandy areas.
SG: Approach/Greens in Regulation will play a part. Finding these large greens in the right areas will be key to consistenly providing birdie chances for the guys.
We aren't in the desert this week, but the course set up does portray ones that we see on the DP World Tour. Exposed to the elements, plenty of water in play and loads of sand/waste ares around the fairways and greens. A previous exposure to conditions like these will be an advantage, whether its the courses on the DP World Tour or whether its at the Phoenix Open. Players who have prevailed at these events, like Jon Rahm, have been seen to do well in these events and has won here in the past.
Hero World Challenge Past Winners
No stats to analyse this week as i say above, but lets have a look at the previous winners of this event to get a feel for the type of player that does well here.
2021 - Viktor Hovland -18
2020 – Cancelled due to Covid
2019 – Henrik Stenson -18
2018 – Jon Rahm -20
2017 – Rickie Fowler -18
2016 – Hideki Matsuyama -18
2015 – Bubba Watson -25
Hero World Challege Tips
Reduced selections this week due to the 20 man field but hopefully we can nail the winner of this star studded field! Good luck all! Would normally advise 10pts across my 5 selections, but just split the 10pts across the 3 selections this week!
Xander Schauffele 11/1 (3 places)
Collin Morikawa 16/1 (4 places)
Sam Burns 20/1 (4 places)
