In its usual position towards the end of the year, the Hero World Challenge takes place for the ninth time in 2024 with 20 of the PGA Tour’s very best set to compete in The Bahamas.
The exclusive unofficial tournament has featured as Tiger Woods‘ comeback event in recent years, but the 15-time Major winner is exclusively on hosting duties this time around after his latest back surgery in September did not allow him enough time to fully recover.
In Woods’ absence, World No.1 and defending champion, Scottie Scheffler leads the field as a number of exciting debutants also come in to try and lift the famous trophy.
Three of the world’s top-five will not be on display this week, though, with Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, and Collin Morikawa absent. The World No.2 and 3 (Schauffele and McIlroy) are not playing for the second year in a row. Plus, Tony Finau was a late withdrawal, going on to be replaced by Sepp Straka.
But of those who are in contention, four of the Golf Monthly team have picked one name that we each believe could win the 2024 Hero World Challenge…
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hero World Challenge 2024: The Course
Albany Golf Course is a 7,414-yard par-72 which was designed by Ernie Els and opened in 2010. It has been used at the December event since 2015, with the 2020 tournament cancelled due to Covid-19.
According to its website, Albany “combines the best of links and desert features with windswept dunes and challenging water features.” Said dunes are up to 30 feet high and feature regularly alongside patches of native grass in among the five par-3s, five-par 5s and remaining par-4s.
The earliest par-3 – the second hole – is styled after the famous 13th at Muirfield village, and there are a couple of enticing par-4s on the back nine which can make or break a round.
The scoring at the Hero is generally quite low, with the record total set at 26-under by Jordan Spieth back in 2014. However, that was at Isleworth and not at Albany. The following year, Bubba Watson won at this week’s course with 25-under, while the winning score has never passed -20 in the subsequent years.
A general view of Albany Golf Course
HERO WORLD CHALLENGE PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Champion | Winning Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | -20 (three strokes) |
| 2022 | Viktor Hovland | -16… |
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly…