The Hero World Challenge returns to the Bahamas and the Albany Resort. This will be the seventh time that the Albany course will host the year-end event for the PGA Tour. Officially opened in 2010, the Ernie Els designed course measures over 7,400 yards from the back tees. The 20-man field will have to contend with a links-style layout that contains strategic water hazards, windswept dunes, and challenging lies around the green.
Though it’s not an official PGA Tour event and no FedExCup points are awarded, the golfers can earn points in the Official World Golf Rankings. The total purse is $3.5 million with $1 million going to the champion. Tiger Woods is the host of this event and was supposed to tee it up for the first time since the 2022 Open Championship. However, news broke Monday that he would be withdrawing due to plantar fasciitis.
While underrated two-time winner in 2022, Sepp Straka replaces Woods, there are plenty of other star-studded golfers in this small field no-cut event. Defending champion, Viktor Hovland returns, as does runner-up from last year, Scottie Scheffler. Other big names include Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Jordan Spieth, and Collin Morikawa. Tom Kim is among a group of young players making their Hero World Challenge debuts this week. Cameron Young, Corey Conners, Sungjae Im, and Max Homa are among the other debutants.
The Course
f684b2f3d4218ee06dad551b3bb2074bThe unique par-72, 7,414-yard course has five par-3s and five par-5s. Its eight par-4 holes are the fewest amount on any course on Tour. Last year, Viktor Hovland prevailed at 18-under par. He also converted an amazing four eagles when only six were recorded for the entire event.
It is generous off the tee, but there’s plenty of sand and tropical vegetation to gobble up loose tee shots. Including the five par 5s and two drivable par 4s, having power off the tee is definitely an advantage. Last year the course played 2.5 strokes under par. This resort course definitely serves up plenty of birdies as the winning score here has averaged 19-under par.
As is the case with most coastal courses, the strength of the wind is the x-factor. Steady winds from 15 to 30 mph are forecast throughout the weekend. This will most likely affect golfers the most on their approach shots into these tiny greens which measure just 4,500 square feet.
The course features wall-to-wall Bermuda grass and very little rough. Golfers’ short games will be tested with short-grass chipping and collection areas that surround tough green complexes. The surrounding sandy waste areas will also make life difficult for inaccurate players. The small greens along with the wind will cause players to rely on their short-game skill. With the greens being Bermuda, players who have shown putting skill on this surface are preferred. Being an island course, greens will run much slower at around 10.5 on the stimp meter.