Tiger Woods welcomes 20 of the best players in the world to the Hero World Challenge 2024, the event hosted annually by the 15-time major winner in the Bahamas. Stay on the sidelines Due to his sixth back surgery last September, Woods will instead host and let his colleagues swing on the ropes.
The field is led by none other than the defending champion and world number 1, Scottie Scheffler, who is aiming for his ninth global victory of the year. Having not played since the Presidents Cup, Scheffler should have no trouble shaking off the rust as he arrives at Albany GC for the fourth time in his career having lost to just one man (Viktor Hovland, twice).
As a multiple winner at courses such as Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale and Bay Hill, Scheffler would like to add Albany GC to that list. Standing in his way is the young Swede Ludvig Åberg, who recovered well from knee surgery at the RSM Classic and achieved a great top 20 result.
Åberg wasn't the only player to flash his form last fall as Justin Thomas continued to knock on the door to the winner's circle. Runner-up at the Zozo Championship, the two-time major champion is looking to end his winless streak that dates back to his 2022 PGA Championship win at Southern Hills.
Tom Kim continues to play strong golf and is joined by Presidents Cup teammates Sungjae Im and Jason Day, while US Presidents Cup competitors Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns and Sahith Theegala round out the action.
Hero World Challenge 2024 Schedule
Dates: 5th–8th December
Location: Albany GC – Albany, Bahamas
Par: 72 | Barrel length: 7,449
Wallet: $5,000,000
Hero World Challenge 2024 field of participants, odds
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- Scottie Scheffler (5/2)
- Justin Thomas (10-1): Thomas is one of the most experienced players in this competition, as he is competing in the Hero World Challenge for the seventh time. After forgettable starts in his first two attempts, he has since finished in the top five in four consecutive races, including a podium finish a season ago behind Scheffler and Sepp Straka. His tee-to-green game appears to be recovering from the lows of the 2023 season, but his putter remains a real problem. Thomas checked in as a bottom-11 putter on the PGA Tour in 2024.
- Ludvig Åberg (10-1): Åberg's return to Sea Island went as well as it could have gone. After a brutal start, he fought back to make the cut, showcasing his prowess from tee to green over the weekend and posting an easy top-20 finish in his title defense. Now he's traveling to Albany GC for the first time, where he appreciates the warm climate and easy walkability. After a sensational 2023 in which he won the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, Åberg remained winless in 2024.
- Patrick Cantlay (12-1): Will his Presidents Cup performance lead to something more, or is it just another flash in the pan? Cantlay confirmed he is America's top contender with his decisive game at Royal Montreal, but it has now been more than two years since he was included in the winner's circle. His ball striking has been poor this season compared to his long-term average, and his putter has also lagged. This week will be his first start in Albany since 2019.
- Sungjae Im (14-1)
- Sam Burns (14-1): Burns appears ready to make a move in 2025, and a win in a field of this quality would only strengthen that prospect. Over the summer, the skilled right-hander found a new gear with his iron game, playing for the U.S. Presidents Cup team and experiencing some close calls in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He's struggled the last two years at Albany GC, but if he keeps the ball in play he has as good a chance as anyone.
- Russell Henley (14-1)
- Wyndham Clark (18-1): His tournament debut in 2023 was unforgettable as Clark failed to reach the 70 mark, finishing ahead of only Will Zalatoris. It proved to be a bump in the road as Clark found the winner's circle at Pebble Beach and finished second to Scheffler at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational and Players Championship. He is currently ranked sixth in the Official World Golf rankings. He will need to find more consistency in the future to enter the conversation about the role of an elite player.
- Tom Kim (20-1)
- Sahith Theegala (22-1)
- Jason Day (22-1)
Expert Tips for Hero World Challenge 2024
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