If we’re being honest with ourselves, the 2022 Hero World Challenge got a whole lot less interesting Monday when tournament-host Tiger Woods withdrew from the field due to plantar fasciitis. This week was going to be the first time Woods has stepped on a golf course on national television since the 150th Open Championship, where a tough Thursday led to a missed weekend.
Despite the injury, Woods’ plan is to play in the Match VII and the PNC Championship.
All is not lost, however, as many of the world’s best are teeing it up in Albany, The Bahamas, including Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas. Viktor Hovland, who won in 2021, is also in the field.
Hero: Thursday tee times, how to watch
Golf course
Albany Golf Course | Par 72 | 7,414 yards
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. Port Royal Golf Course, 2. Detroit Golf Club, 3. PGA West
Trending (the players’ last three starts): 1. Jon Rahm (1, T-4, 1), 2. Tony Finau (9, MC, 1), 3. Max Homa (1, T-20, T-23)
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Jon Rahm (13.9 percent), 2. Scottie Scheffler (12.8 percent), 3. Tony Finau (8.5 percent)
Betting preview
Odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Jon Rahm | (+550) | Shane Lowry | (+2000) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+750) | Jordan Spieth | (+2000) |
| Tony Finau | (+900) | Max Homa | (+2000) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+1000) | Sam Burns | (+2000) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1200) | Tom Kim | (+2000) |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | (+1300) | Cameron Young | (+2000) |
| Viktor Hovland | (+1500) | Billy Horschel | (+3000) |
| Sungjae Im | (+1500) | Hideki Matsuyama | (+3000) |
| Collin Morikawa | (+1500) | Kevin Kisner | (+8000) |
| Tommy Fleetwood | (+2000) |
Collin Morikawa
We’re going off vibes this week on the island. So, let’s start with Collin Morikawa.
A year after getting engaged, the Cal product got married on Nov. 26. A fat winner’s check would be a great wedding gift from Uncle Tiger.
In his last start, Morikawa tied for 15th at Mayakoba.
Bets to consider: Outright (+1500), Top 5 (+220)
Max Homa
Max Homa will have an advantage over everyone in the field this week due to one thing: freshly-earned perspective. Homa and his wife, Lacey, welcomed their first child on Oct. 30.
Homa has begun his season with three top-25 finishes including a win at the Fortinet Championship. This will be his first HWC.
Bets to consider: Outright (+2000), Top 5 (+280)
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas hangs around +1200 in full-field PGA Tour events. You’re telling me I can get him at that same number and he has to beat 19 dudes?
Done.
He’s tied for fifth at the last two Hero World Challenges.
Bets to consider: Outright (+1200), Top 5 (+162)
