PGA Tour preview: Hero World Challenge TV times and betting tips
I cannot allow myself to believe that there is a single golf fan on the planet who was not excited by that short clip of Tiger Woods swinging it in practice recently. While the legend will unfortunately not be teeing it up in his own event this week, hosting duties may see him make a much anticipated return to the course after his horrific accident back in February. With Tiger out, this limited field event is reserved for the best of the best and with that being said it is not easy to pick a winner. After casting aside the one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, I have trawled through the form books and picked out a couple of players that I think can take the Hero World Challenge title this week. But before we get to my free golf betting tips…
Hero World Challenge details
Venue: Albany Golf Club, New Province, Bahamas
Date: December 2-5, 2021
Course stats: Par 72; 7,302 yards
Course summary: This unique Ernie Els design is an intriguing test, with five par-5s and five par-3s for players to negotiate. Perilous bunkers and sand dunes provide a strong defence, with a definite links feel to this relatively new course. With an elite field on show, and an average winning score of around 20-under-par, we should be in for a real spectacle this week.
Purse: $3.5m
Defending champion: Henrik Stenson (-18)
Hero World Challenge TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf from 6.30pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 6.30pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 5pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 4pm
Hero World Challenge free golf betting tips
Bazza’s Banker: Collin Morikawa @ 15/2 with bet365
I think its fair to say that Morikawa is the hottest player on the planet right now, and with the constant comparison to the career of the great Tiger Woods, what better place to take that next step towards becoming World Number One. Morikawa arrives fresh from winning the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai, so there are no question marks over his form. Morikawa also won the Open Championship this summer, his second major championship win, and that solid links performance should be invaluable here.
Morikawa ranks 2nd this season for Par-5 scoring and 6th for final round scoring, meaning we can expect more fireworks on Sunday with the five par-5s to attack. Two starts on the PGA Tour in the wrap around season have yielded a 2nd and 7th place finish, so I really cannot believe this incredible talent is not going off as favourite for this one.
The Each-Way Play: Daniel Berger @ 20/1 with bet365
Berger had an incredible season in 2021, with a win and eight top-10 finishes in 23 events. A long break will hopefully have Berger arriving here fit and raring to go, and with his style of play I can see him going close for a player at the bottom end of the market.
In 2021, Berger ranked 4th for Par-3 scoring and 13th for Par-5 scoring across the season which should give him a great advantage at this golf course. Berger also ranks 2nd for SG: Total in the last six months, highlighting the strength and consistency of his game. A T8 finish at the Open Championship this summer suggests he should have no problem with the link style landscape, and I can’t help but like his chances at a big price for this field.
