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Power Rankings: Hero World Challenge
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December 02, 2019
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Jon Rahm has won in his last two starts and is the defending champion at the Hero World Challenge. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
The Hero World Challenge is a limited-field invitational, but it's more exclusive than that. Only the most recently successful of the highly successful populate the field of 18 at Albany in The Bahamas. Consider that recent Open Championship winners Henrik Stenson (2016) and Jordan Spieth (2017), both of whom also are among the last seven FedExCup champions (Stenson, 2013; Spieth, 2014-15), required sponsor exemptions to participate.
The highest level of talent aside for a moment, that the fifth edition of the tournament on New Providence can be contested at all is a blessing. It's been only three months since Hurricane Dorian ravaged the northern islands of the archipelago.
For the first time in the event's history (early 2000-present), the Hero World Challenge begins on a Wednesday. The 72-hole competition with no cut is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, Dec. 7, so that all golfers headed to next week's Presidents Cup have an extra day to travel to Australia and acclimate to its time zone.
Scroll past the full field below for details on the host course, what's up for grabs and more.
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 18 
Making tournament debut as Dustin Johnson's replacement. None of his six starts this fall went for a top-25. Ranked outside the top 100 in par-5 scoring average in each of last three seasons.Making tournament debut as Dustin Johnson's replacement. None of his six starts this fall went for a top-25. Ranked outside the top 100 in par-5 scoring average in each of last three seasons.17 Anytime he misses the cut at Sea Island, it's noteworthy, but his third MC in nine starts at The RSM Classic (two weeks ago) reflects a recent inability to generate momentum day to day.Anytime he misses the cut at Sea Island, it's noteworthy, but his third MC in nine starts at The RSM Classic (two weeks ago) reflects a recent inability to generate momentum day to day.16 The first winner at Albany (in 2015) has followed with a T6 (2016) and a T12 (2018). The slow fade from the top of the leaderboard mirrors his extended slump that dates back to mid-April.The first winner at Albany (in 2015) has followed with a T6 (2016) and a T12 (2018). The slow fade from the top of the leaderboard mirrors his extended slump that dates back to mid-April.15 His form has been inconsistent in recent months, so this primer for the Presidents Cup is perfectly timed. Finished T3 here in 2016 and possesses a scoring average of 69.25 in three starts.His form has been inconsistent in recent months, so this primer for the Presidents Cup is perfectly timed. Finished T3 here in 2016 and possesses a scoring average of 69.25 in three starts.14 As he has so often before, he rose for a pair of top-five finishes on the Asian Swing in October, but they're his only top-10s since his victory at the U.S. Open. T8 in his debut here last year.As he has so often before, he rose for a pair of top-five finishes on the Asian Swing in October, but they're his only top-10s since his victory at the U.S. Open. T8 in his debut here last year.13 Rested since ZOZO tile, but the imminent fortnight would challenge anyone's focus and fitness, even his. Hosting/Playing at Albany this week. Leading/Playing at Royal Melbourne next week.Rested since ZOZO tile, but the imminent fortnight would challenge anyone's focus and fitness, even his. Hosting/Playing at Albany this week. Leading/Playing at Royal Melbourne next week.12 Save a third-round 77 in 2017, he's thrived as you'd expect at Albany what with its five par 5s. Runner-up in 2016; fourth last year. Three top-20s worldwide in last five starts worldwide.Save a third-round 77 in 2017, he's thrived as you'd expect at Albany what with its five par 5s. Runner-up in 2016; fourth last year. Three top-20s worldwide in last five starts worldwide.11 Sat out last year's Hero for his honeymoon, so his return is what the swing doctor ordered. No worse than T6 (2016) in three appearances at Albany with a scoring average of 68.42.Sat out last year's Hero for his honeymoon, so his return is what the swing doctor ordered. No worse than T6 (2016) in three appearances at Albany with a scoring average of 68.42.10 Rested since a T4 in Vegas two months ago. T13 in Napa the week prior. Converted an eagle and 22 birdies in Albany debut in 2018 but also squared 14 bogeys and a double for a T12.Rested since a T4 in Vegas two months ago. T13 in Napa the week prior. Converted an eagle and 22 birdies in Albany debut in 2018 but also squared 14 bogeys and a double for a T12.9 Figures to factor more at the Presidents Cup as Captain America and where his short game will be clutch, but he has two top-fives at Albany. Above all, his commitment to feel is paying off.Figures to factor more at the Presidents Cup as Captain America and where his short game will be clutch, but he has two top-fives at Albany. Above all, his commitment to feel is paying off.8 The local resident concluded both seasons on the PGA TOUR and European Tour with uninspiring performances, but he's placed a respective T5 and third in the last two editions of the Hero.The local resident concluded both seasons on the PGA TOUR and European Tour with uninspiring performances, but he's placed a respective T5 and third in the last two editions of the Hero.7 Runner-up in his debut last year but still finished four swings off Jon Rahm's pace. Finau's fit is finest on the par 5s. He was 12-under on the set with an eagle and 11 birdies here in 2018.Runner-up in his debut last year but still finished four swings off Jon Rahm's pace. Finau's fit is finest on the par 5s. He was 12-under on the set with an eagle and 11 birdies here in 2018.6 It'd be strange for any course to have his number, but Albany has remained a mystery no matter his form upon arrival. Tiptop play of late screams for his first top-10 in his third try.It'd be strange for any course to have his number, but Albany has remained a mystery no matter his form upon arrival. Tiptop play of late screams for his first top-10 in his third try.5 Locked up his first appearance at Albany with consecutive runner-up finishes over the summer. He has four of them in his last 10 starts, including the playoff loss at Sea Island.Locked up his first appearance at Albany with consecutive runner-up finishes over the summer. He has four of them in his last 10 starts, including the playoff loss at Sea Island.4 Promises to be warm when he heads to the Presidents Cup (as Brooks Koepka's replacement). The 2017 Hero champ has a pair of thirds, a T5 and a scoring average of 67.94 at Albany.Promises to be warm when he heads to the Presidents Cup (as Brooks Koepka's replacement). The 2017 Hero champ has a pair of thirds, a T5 and a scoring average of 67.94 at Albany.3 After signing for the second-highest score by anyone in last year's debut – a third-round 76 – he carded the lowest finale in the field – an 8-under 64 – to finish T5. P2 in last start in Vegas.After signing for the second-highest score by anyone in last year's debut – a third-round 76 – he carded the lowest finale in the field – an 8-under 64 – to finish T5. P2 in last start in Vegas.2 Since opening 2019 with a flourish to win at Kapalua, he's added four podium finishes in high-stakes events, the last a P2 at Sheshan International. T8 in Albany debut last year.Since opening 2019 with a flourish to win at Kapalua, he's added four podium finishes in high-stakes events, the last a P2 at Sheshan International. T8 in Albany debut last year.1 The prohibitive favorite no matter the angle. Won as a first-timer last year and triumphed in last two starts on the European Tour (with a six-week break in between!) to win the Race to Dubai.The prohibitive favorite no matter the angle. Won as a first-timer last year and triumphed in last two starts on the European Tour (with a six-week break in between!) to win the Race to Dubai.The field at Albany is reserved for the defending champion, the winners of the majors since the last edition, the first 11 available in order of highest position in the Official World Golf Ranking (on Aug. 26) and two sponsor exemptions. As host of the tournament, which is run in conjunction with his foundation, Tiger Woods would have received one of the two exemptions if he didn't check one of the first three boxes. In fact, he checks two for good measure. Jon Rahm defends.
All 12 members of the U.S. Presidents Cup team qualified, but Dustin Johnson withdrew in favor of additional time to rest and prepare for the trip to Oz. As the next available via the OWGR, Chez Reavie is the last man in at Albany.
None of the golfers who are scheduled to represent the Internationals in the Presidents Cup are in The Bahamas, but six are competing in the Emirates Australian Open, which has a traditional Sunday finish.
Albany is a par 72 with equal nines, but there are five par 3s and five par 5s. The latter set opens the possibilities for seriously low scoring. Bubba Watson's 25-under 263 in the inaugural edition on the course in 2015 is the course tournament record and three of the four scoring averages have landed sub-70. Last year's clip came in at 69.472. Rahm prevailed at 20-under 268.
The course was minimally impacted by Hurricane Dorian and other storms this year, so it will play similarly as it has in the past. With no significant changes, the 7,309-yard track will be fun to navigate. What rough exists is trimmed tight, while the omnipresent threat of wind caps Stimpmeter readings on the TifEagle bermudagrass greens at a PGA TOUR-familiar 12 feet. Seasonable daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 70s are forecast. Rain is not expected.
The winner of the Hero World Challenge receives $1 million of the $3.5-million prize fund. And while the victory isn't official on any circuit and the earnings don't contribute to any money list, all golfers will collect OWGR points.
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