How will Tiger fare at the Hero World Challenge?
Hero World Challenge betting: Tiger Woods specials
To hit the fairway on his first hole at the Hero World Challenge: 8/15
The opening hole at the Albany layout in the Bahamas is quite exposed and Woods failed to find the target 12 months ago.
But there are good reasons for thinking things might be different this time around. Firstly, he only missed it by fractions – a slight tug seeing the ball find the left rough.
Secondly, his swing looks much better this time around. I’m not the only one who is a fan of his new action. It’s a bit stiffer than during his prime but the man’s in his 40s and has had multiple back surgeries.
If he can avoid the inclination to absolutely hammer his first shot, and can make some of the smooth practice swings we’ve seen, then there’s every chance this bet, put up by Paddy Power, lands.
I’m not as big a fan of the 4/5 on him to shoot under par in round 1.
There’s plenty of birdies to be made on this course, and Tiger made the most of anyone in the field in 2016, but I’d expect some ring rust – particularly in the short game – to start with.
He fired 73 shots in round one last year and I’d be looking at a similar score on Thursday evening.
Tiger Woods to make an eagle during the Hero World Challenge: 6/4
The Albany course has five par 5s, so, in theory at least, you have 20 per cent more chance of landing the bet than at a ‘traditional’ par 72 set up.
Tiger Woods to make a hole-in-one during the Hero World Challenge: 150/1
There are also five par 3s. Someone is bound to fling a pound on Woods to record a hole-in-one. The rewards, at this price, are great if he defies logic to do so.
Tiger Woods to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge: 7/2
The pessimists among you, not convinced by this latest comeback, can also take him to WD at any point.
Hero World Challenge betting: Where will Tiger Woods finish?
It would be foolhardy to suggest Tiger could finish any higher than the 15th he managed last year.
If he can keep the doubles off the card, though, then a top 10 – a bet that includes ties and is 11/4 – might not be the worst play in such a small field.
Hero World Challenge betting: Who’s going to win?
There is still a tournament going on and a winner to be crowned.
So if Woods isn’t going to be lifting the trophy, who is?
Rickie Fowler (9/1) has a couple of podium places in his two appearances on this course and the American could prove value.
Second at Mayakoba in his only showing of the PGA Tour wrap-around season, the exposed links-style course definitely suits a player who has little trouble negotiating windy conditions.
The only worry I always have with Rickie is that he doesn’t get the job done often enough. That might be being picky about a player who has seven PGA and international wins.
But I associate Fowler with Sunday calamity. It’s worth backing him and taking another player to hedge the risk.
That player could be Brooks Koepka (10/1).
Lightly raced in recent weeks, he was second at the WGC-HSBC Champions – and probably really should have won. He then destroyed the field by nine shots at the Dunlop Phoenix Open in Japan to retain his title.
He’s not played here before but that is a characteristic shared by half the field. There’s no reason to suggest, on current form, he won’t strongly contend.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
