How about a collection of the finest golfers in the world competing against each other for a boatload of prize money? Well, that’s what we have this week at the Hero World Challenge when the invitation-only field tees it up at the Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. The elite field includes world No. 2 and the hottest player on the planet Collin Morikawa, and 17 of top 25 players on the Official World Golf Ranking. The field may be small with only 20 players competing, but tournament matchups between some of the finest players are intriguing. Morikawa, who recently won the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, is the outright favorite and is featured in matchups with Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland, who are the only other players with shorter than 10/1 odds. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Hero World Challenge Matchup Odds
Rory McIlroy -115 vs. Collin Morikawa -115
Rory McIlroy -115 vs. Justin Thomas -115
Rory McIlroy -115 vs. Viktor Hovland -115
Collin Morikawa -115 vs. Justin Thomas -115
Collin Morikawa -115 vs. Viktor Hovland -115
Justin Thomas -115 vs. Viktor Hovland -115
Bryson DeChambeau -120 vs. Jordan Spieth -110
Bryson DeChambeau -115 vs. Xander Schauffele -115
Bryson DeChambeau -120 vs. Scottie Scheffler -110
Jordan Spieth -115 vs. Xander Schauffele -115
Jordan Spieth -115 vs. Scottie Scheffler -115
Xander Schauffele -115 vs. Scottie Scheffler -115
Sam Burns -115 vs. Abraham Ancer -115
Sam Burns -115 vs. Daniel Berger -115
Abraham Ancer -110 vs. Daniel Berger -120
Webb Simpson -120 vs. Tony Finau -110
Webb Simpson -140 vs. Brooks Koepka +110
Tony Finau -135 vs. Brooks Koepka +105
Matthew Fitzpatrick -125 vs. Tyrrell Hatton -105
Matthew Fitzpatrick -130 vs. Justin Rose +100
Tyrrell Hatton -115 vs. Justin Rose -115
Harris English -150 vs. Patrick Reed +120
Harris English -260 vs. Henrik Stenson +200
Patrick Reed -210 vs. Henrik Stenson +165
Need to Know
Albany Golf Club opened in 2010 and hosted for the first time in 2015. It’s the sixth consecutive playing on this course with the five previous winners all scoring 18-under or better. At over 7,300 yards and par 72, it’s slightly different in that there are five par-5 holes. And that plays to the strength of the big hitters in the field. The fairways are generous, though water comes into play on several holes. Small greens require pinpoint accuracy on approach and a deft touch with the flat stick on the speedy surface. And the exposed layout gives Albany a links-style feel. Situated in the Bahamas it is more of a resort course and hasn’t presented many problems for the field in the past. Coastal winds are always something to consider, but all in all the layout doesn’t present many issues for a collection of the world’s best players.
Hero World Challenge Matchup Picks
Jordan Spieth -110 vs. Bryson DeChambeau
I said big hitters would have an advantage and there’s no one bigger on Tour than DeChambeau. But there is more to the game than just smacking the ball a long way. And with DeChambeau having an inconsistent stretch and coming off a disappointing showing in his charity match with Brooks Koepka, I have to fade him in this matchup. Spieth had a resurgence last season and he’s a former winner of this event, albeit on a different course. Still, Spieth has had success at Albany with three top-5s in his last four starts, and that will only continue his renaissance.
Brooks Koepka +110 vs. Webb Simpson
This is one of the few value picks on the board and I’m jumping on Koepka in this matchup. Brooks hasn’t done much this season with a pair of MCs on the lead up, but his play in the Match V when he dominated DeChambeau has to be the shot of confidence his game needed. And if Koepka needs added motivation I’m sure his last visit to Albany will be enough. He finished last in the field of 18 in the 2017 edition and I don’t think he wants a repeat of that performance.
Henrik Stenson +165 vs. Patrick Reed
I’m not sure if this is a value pick or just stupidity on my part, but I’m backing Stenson in this head-to-head. Stenson was the last to win this event finishing one shot better than Jon Rahm in 2019, but it’s been a long two years for the Swede. At the time of his victory Stenson was ranked 26th in the OWGR. He has since dropped all the way to No. 182 and wouldn’t even be here if not for that win since the defending champ gets an automatic invite. He has only two top-10s since winning here, but I’m throwing down on the price and the hope that Stenson can find his game.
Justin Rose -115 vs. Tyrrell Hatton
The home team doesn’t always win but they do have an advantage over their opponent. In this case I’m backing Rose since his knowledge of the area and the course has improved since taking up residence in the Bahamas. And that’s paid off for him with top-5s in his last three starts at this joint. We’ve also seen encouraging signs from the former world No. 1, most recently a T12 at the RSM Classic when he closed with a 65.
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