Predictions: Hero World Challenge

Finally, the Hero World Challenge is upon us. Of course, much of the anticipation is a result of the return of a certain 14-time major champion to the competitive golfing world. If you want to read more about how I think Tiger will do, be sure to click here    https://tailgatesportsentertainment.com/what-to-expect-from-tigers-comeback/  to read all about that. Anyways, here are my predictions for the Hero. As it is a limited player field, I am going to go with a winner, top 5 and top 10, instead of the usual winner, top 10 and top 25.

Winner: Dustin Johnson: Well, DJ is back in action at the Hero, and I fully expect him to be back with a vengeance after coughing up an enormous lead to Justin Rose at the WGC HSBC Championship. For most players, a loss that big would seep into their confidence and affect their game. However, nothing in the competitive golfing world truly affects DJ that much, as he is an emotionless freak of nature made with the sole purpose of winning golf tournaments. Especially with the return of Tiger and the stories of how DJ was getting out-driven by TW, DJ has something to prove to himself, and I personally think that there’s no chance he’s leaving the Bahamas without the trophy.

Top 5: Justin Rose: Justin Rose was well overdue for a good break at some point, and he certainly got it when DJ coughed up his lead at the WGC. After capitalizing on his victory there, Rose traveled to the Turkish Airlines open and won there as well. Rose did just miss out on a Race to Dubai Victory, as well as the nice bonus that came along with it, but he is still in fantastic form heading into this week’s event. While I don’t think that he’ll continue his winning ways this week, that doesn’t mean that I don’t think that Rose will finish strong regardless. I believe that Rose is almost a sure lock at at top 5 this week, and I would be absolutely shocked if he finished anywhere outside of the top 10

Top 10: Jordan Spieth: Ok, so I’m  not really going out on too much of a limb, but I think that Jordan Spieth is a pretty decent pick to finish inside the Top 10. He won here back in 2015 on his way to a record-breaking season, and he also has a pair of top 10’s to his name in his other two appearances in Albany. His play was pretty rusty at the Australian Open, but a closing 67 was a promising sign on his way to another top 10 finish. Therefore, while I don’t think Spieth is in a position to win the tournament this week, I do believe that he will use this tournament as a boost into the new season, and may be better than ever in the coming events.

Written by Paul Choma