We’re in for a fun week in Albany, Bahamas, for the 2023 Hero World Challenge. Why? The GOAT is back.
Tiger Woods is returning to professional golf for the first time since the Masters earlier this year, a tournament where he made the cut but withdrew on Sunday morning due to aggravating his plantar fasciitis.
Ten days later, Woods announced that he had undergone “a subtalar fusion procedure to address his post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture.”
After staying away for months, we’ve seen Woods start to return to the spotlight. He caddied for his son, Charlie, for four days while carrying the bag and walking — without a limp — every step of the way. His short course at Pebble Beach opened. So, he’s been around.
Hero: How to watch Tiger Woods | Thursday tee times
But we’ve all been waiting for him to tee it up once again, and that moment will come Thursday at the Hero, an event put on by his TGR Foundation.
Joining the 15-time major champion in the field are 19 other highly-ranked players, including his good buddy Justin Thomas, two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler.
Woods isn’t the only player returning from an extended layoff. Will Zalatoris, who suffered a back injury at the 2022 BMW Championship and later withdrew before the 2023 Masters, will make his first start in eight months after undergoing back surgery in April.
Golf course
Albany Golf Course | Par 72 | 7,449 yards
Betting preview
Odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Viktor Hovland | (+350) | Tony Finau | (+2200) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+400) | Sam Burns | (+2200) |
| Max Homa | (+750) | Will Zalatoris | (+2800) |
| Collin Morikawa | (+750) | Keegan Bradley | (+2800) |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | (+1600) | Justin Rose | (+3000) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1600) | Sepp Straka | (+3000) |
| Rickie Fowler | (+2000) | Jason Day | (+3500) |
| Jordan Spieth | (+2000) | Brian Harman | (+3500) |
| Cameron Young | (+2000) | Tiger Woods | (+5500) |
| Wyndham Clark | (+2200) | Lucas Glover | (+5500) |
*Odds as of 9 a.m. ET Nov. 28.
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Scottie Scheffler (+400)
Betting on a player to win a golf tournament at 4/1 always feels strange, but Scheffler has loved him some Albany over the last few years. He’s finished runner-up to Hovland each of the last two seasons.
Don’t be surprised if he’s holding the trophy next to Woods come Sunday.
Justin Thomas (16/1)
Thomas, like Scheffler, has played well at Albany the last two seasons. He tied for fifth in 2021 and grabbed solo fifth last year.
With his buddy Woods returning to action, it’s safe to assume Thomas will be in a great mood — they’re paired together for the first round. Plus, it’s been a bit since Thomas won. His last victory came at the 2022 PGA Championship.
Cameron Young (20/1)
Cameron Young last played at the RSM Classic where he opened with a 6-under 66 and shot three straight 2-under 68s to close the tournament.
At Albany, Young will be able to let the big dog eat and take advantage of his absurd length off the tee.
At last year’s Hero, Young finished third.
Plus, in a field of 20 players, a 20/1 number on Young is tough to pass up.
Tiger Woods (80/1)*
Let me paint you a picture. You’re sitting on your couch Sunday afternoon watching your favorite NFL team, but on another TV you’re keeping an eye on the Hero World Challenge — or, let’s be honest, maybe you’re prioritizing golf because of the Big Cat.
As the final round goes on, the GOAT is making an improbable run at the title in his return to action. Wouldn’t you hate yourself if you didn’t have a little action on that? And at 80/1, a $10 bet would pay $810!
Woods looked a lot more comfortable walking while he was caddying for Charlie, and if the man can get around a track without the threat of severe pain, I still like his chances against the world’s best.
*His betting line moved to 80/1 at 9:50 a.m. ET.
