Jason Scrivener filled our pockets for the umpteenth time last week on the oracle’s recommendation. With only 18 in the field at the Hero World Challenge, he’s shortlisted five more for your consideration.
The Hero World Challenge is the annual 18-man invitation event hosted by Tiger Woods and given the nod of approval by the PGA Tour. It might have an end of season holiday feel in the Bahamas, but with a no cut 72-hole strokeplay format, it’s always a good scrap. At 7,309 yards and with five par-5’s, the Albany course is looking at a 20-under-ish winning total depending on how strong the wind blows.
The limited field means poor odds in the market this week, with five of the favourites all below our cut off of 10/1. Here is a shortlist of five players however at longer odds you can make a case for each-way. Choose your favourite and best of luck.
Patrick Reed 20/1
Has kept himself busy these past few weeks by crossing over to the European Tour for our Tour Championship. And he showed with that T2 in Dubai that his game, and will to compete, travel well. T45 last time out in Hong Kong seems poor but Reed recovered from an opening 75 to card a 65 with a fist punching putt on 18 to make the cut on the number. That level of desire is rare, especially in winter. Reed also knows Albany well with a T5 and 2nd in the last three Hero stagings here. My tip of the week.
Henrik Stenson 25/1
The bookies don’t see Henrik as a danger this week but any man who goes from the operating theatre to a T12 at the Tour Championship with 21 birdies and a T9 greens in regulation clip has my RESPECT. Solo 2nd here in 2016, a great wind player and would not be here if he didn’t feel he could compete.
Tony Finau 16/1
After a run of five top-10’s in his last eight starts from the Northern Trust, Dell, and BMW in the US, to the Dunhill in Scotland and HSBC in China, it seems Tony Finau can rock up and compete just about anywhere and I wonder if he’s a dark horse for a Major in 2019. Prodigiously long and supremely athletic, he has kept playing through the PGA Tour wraparound and will fancy his chances this week.
Patrick Cantlay 22/1
Another who can go about his business this week in relative obscurity with the stars all around him. Second last time out at The Shriners following a T7 at the WGC HSBC, his stats tee to green rank with the best, and Cantlay is a man in form.
Keegan Bradley 40/1
Down the bottom of the betting at 40/1 this week and I cannot for the life of me see why. Granted Keegan hasn’t played the Hero for a few years but he’s coming here off a great late season. Winner again at the BMW Championship, 6th at the WGC HSBC and T17 at the Aussie Open last time out. Surely there’s enough there for a decent each way punt at 40/1?
Leave a comment