Twenty of the world’s finest golfers will likely be headed to Albany in New Windfall, Bahamas, this week after accepting Tiger Woods’ invitation to play within the Hero World Problem. The sphere this week will likely be one of many weakest in latest reminiscence for the match, because it consists of solely three of the world’s present high 10 golfers. Those that are making the journey will get the bonus of official world rating factors on this small-field, no-cut occasion.
Hero World Problem
Course: Albany, Bahamas
Dates: December 2-8 (Rounds 1-4, Dec. 5-8)
TV: GOLF Channel, NBC
Streaming: Fubo (attempt totally free)
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is making the journey, and why wouldn’t he after ending second in 2021 and ’22 earlier than profitable in 2023, a victory that helped springboard his great 2024 season.
With query marks across the total sharpness of a few of the golfers on this subject, I’m as soon as once more leaning towards taking part in a really small quantity in the case of betting and crafting Day by day Fantasy Lineups. I’m trying ahead to watching some aggressive golf Sunday as a substitute of torturing myself by watching one other Jets or Giants recreation. I’d like to see which takes longer: Keegan Bradley standing over a brief putt or Evan Neal getting out of his stance as he watches one other defensive finish run round him on the way in which to the Giants’ quarterback.
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Course information
The golfers within the subject will likely be teeing it up on a novel, resort-style golf course. With 5 Par 3s and 5 Par 5s scattered over the Par 72 monitor that stretches 7,400 yards, the golfers may have loads of probabilities to attain.
Scottie Scheffler’s match file (-20) appears to be a pleasant aiming level for everybody this week, however they may must be sharp with their quick play as Albany ranks first on the PGA Tour schedule in the case of strokes gained across the inexperienced.
The inevitable breezes on this shore golf course assist defend the greens, which common slightly over 4,500 sq. toes.
Betting slip
Justin Thomas (+1000) completed fifth right here thrice in a row earlier than ending third right here in 2023. Thomas seems to be in his preferrred type after ending T2 on the ZOZO Championship, the place he gained over 14 strokes from tee to inexperienced. The around-the-green maestro finds methods to make birdies and pars right here, even when he isn’t hitting the greens together with his irons.
Sahith Theegala (+1800, store as much as +2500) can win anyplace on this planet and is on the verge of pushing his means inside the highest 10 within the official world rankings. He’s making his debut at this occasion, and two debutants have gained right here within the final seven years. Theegala can spray the ball off the tee, however that shouldn’t be a difficulty right here, as Ernie Els designed the course with forgiving fairways.
Sepp Straka (+4000) acquired the invite after Tony Finau pulled out of the occasion, and he’s most likely greater than excited after ending solo second right here final 12 months. The previous Georgia Bulldog likes seaside golf programs, and we’re getting him at good odds for a small guess.
Nick Dunlap (+4000) gained as an novice and as knowledgeable in 2024. Dunlap is extraordinarily cold and hot together with his putter, as he misplaced over seven strokes on the inexperienced on the Vacationers and gained over 5 strokes at each The Memorial and the Barracuda Championship. He gained over 5.4 strokes on method his final day out in October on the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Day by day Fantasy Sports activities (DFS) performs
Scottie Scheffler ($11,900) is hard to guess this week at slightly over 2-to-1 odds at virtually each e book — until you’ll parlay a win with one other sport. I’d recommend staying away from the Jets in case you’re fascinated with going that means. Scheffler, at this value, is sort of an computerized choose for me. He’s priced means too low together with his historical past right here and the energy of the sector.
Patrick Cantlay ($10,200) hasn’t performed right here since 2020 when he completed seventeenth. He completed T5 in 2019 so he clearly is aware of the best way to get the ball round this course. I consider Cantlay is the leverage play this week. Everybody goes to be utilizing Scheffler and Thomas, and Cantlay goes to be missed after a troublesome 2023 PGA Tour season.
Justin Thomas ($9,600) See above.
Sam Burns ($9,300) grades out nicely in each fashions I made this week, however it’s onerous to overlook when he fumbled the bag right here just a few years in the past. He completed T3 right here in 2022 and hasn’t positioned inside the highest 10 in both of his subsequent two journeys. I’m not fully fading him, however I’m not going as heavy as my mannequin suggests I ought to.
Tom Kim ($8,400) is the man within the 8K vary that I really like. He gained over 10 strokes on method on the Korea Championship on the finish of October earlier than lacking the lower on the Hong Kong Open on the finish of November. He completed T10 in his lone journey to the Hero World Problem, however I’ve a sense he desires to problem his good pal Scottie Scheffler this week.
Sungjae Im ($7,800) is priced slightly too low to disregard this week. His iron play saved him from contending on the ZOZO Championship, however he was glorious off the tee and across the greens. He completed T8 in his solely journey right here and needs to be a pleasant middle-of-the-lineup piece this week.
Sahith Theegala ($7,300) See above.
Robert MacIntyre ($7,100) has two top-seven finishes in Europe this fall, and his recreation seems to be in glorious form. He has gained over 4.6 strokes tee-to-green in three straight tournaments and appears primed for his first likelihood to play on the Hero World Problem.
Cameron Younger ($6,800) completed third right here in 2022 and will likely be seeking to rekindle that kind of type after a troublesome 2024 PGA Tour season. After his putter let him down for a lot of the summer time, it was his swing that took a flip for the more serious in his final two tournaments in the course of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. With 5 Par 5s to take purpose at, I feel Younger might shock this week at a really low value.
Brian Harman ($6,600), the 2023 Open Champion, has performed nicely to date this fall with two top-25 finishes. He had a pleasant displaying right here final 12 months with a T8. Harman looks as if the protected guess on this value vary, however don’t let that idiot you into pondering he doesn’t have any upside. The St. Simons Island, Georgia, native doesn’t thoughts taking part in in windy situations, and he’s glorious within the 125-150 yard vary that appears to be of specific significance this week.
Nick Dunlap ($6,400) See above.
Sepp Straka ($6,100) See above.
(Photograph of Scottie Scheffler: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Photos)
