The PGA TOUR wraps up the year with the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course in Nassau, Bahamas. This 7,449-yard par-72 layout features Bermudagrass greens and welcomes 20 of the world's top players.

Unlike the FedExCup Fall, no FedExCup points are awarded this week, but players will earn OWGR points.

 

 

 

Hero World Challenge 2024: Daily Fantasy Golf Picks & Projections

A December tradition for nearly 25 years, the event benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. While Woods remains sidelined following surgery, the field is stacked with elite talent. Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the roster, aiming to cap a stellar 2024 season, highlighted by seven victories.

With no cut, fans can expect four days of top-tier competition in a laid-back Bahamas setting to close out the year.

 

 

 

Albany Golf Course: Breakdown This Week

The Hero World Challenge returns to Albany Golf Course for the ninth time. Designed by Ernie Els, Albany offers an exposed, links-style layout with over 50 bunkers and a design reminiscent of Scotland’s classics, even drawing comparisons to St. Andrews. Unique to this par-72 track are its five par 5s and five par 3s, which shift the focus from driving to approach play and short game.

Past champions like Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, and Henrik Stenson have excelled here, showcasing the success of diverse playing styles. Links experience is key, as evidenced by two-time winner Viktor Hovland and 2023 runner-up Sepp Straka, both strong performers on exposed courses.

Wind is a consistent factor at Albany, adding complexity to its smaller greens and emphasizing precision iron play. With limited recent competition and no shotlink data, focusing on players with strong strokes gained in windy conditions or links success is crucial.

An intriguing trend? Each of the last six winners has a T-7 or better finish at the Open Championship, with comparables like St. Andrews and Carnoustie offering clues for this week’s contenders. Players with links expertise and adaptability are well-suited to thrive in these unique conditions.

 

 

 

2024 Hero World Challenge Field: Golf DFS

Tournament host Tiger Woods will not compete as he continues recovering from back surgery in September.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field, returning for the first time since the Presidents Cup. Scheffler’s remarkable 2024 includes seven wins, an Olympic gold medal, and 16 top-10s in 19 starts. The defending Hero World Challenge champion is chasing a third consecutive PGA TOUR Player of the Year Award, a feat last achieved by Woods (2005-07).

Last year’s runner-up Sepp Straka is back after a strong 2024 featuring four top-10 finishes, while Justin Thomas, fresh off fatherhood, tees it up for the first time since finishing T2 at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.

Rookie sensation Nick Dunlap, with two wins this season, makes his Hero debut alongside seven others, including Robert MacIntyre and Sahith Theegala. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, and Sungjae Im are also in the stacked field.

Cameron Young returns after a stellar season with six top-10s, joining nine of the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Notable absences aside, the Hero World Challenge promises a competitive close to 2024 with seasoned veterans and emerging stars chasing glory at Albany Golf Course.

 

 

 

This Week’s PGA DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator

To enhance your daily fantasy golf selections and secure optimal PGA DFS values, it's advisable to utilize our PGA DFS optimizer and lineup generator. This optimizer serves as a valuable resource for daily fantasy golf enthusiasts aiming to develop effective lineups!

It provides projections, updates on player injuries and a range of analytical insights to facilitate the lineup-building process. Essentially, it functions as a strategic advantage for participants in daily fantasy golf and makes their own PGA DFS picks!

 

PGA Best Bets & Predictions: Hero World Challenge 2024 (9-20 Overall, -4.35 Units)

  • Robert MacIntyre: Top 5 (+280)
  • Nick Dunlap: Top 10 (+130)

 

 

 

GOLF DFS PICKS THIS WEEK (REGARDLESS OF PRICE)

JUSTIN THOMAS ($9,600)

He arrives at Albany fresh off a T2 finish at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP and a strong history in this event, with four consecutive top-5 finishes, including a solo third last year. While 2024 was considered a down year, he remained elite in ball striking, ranking 5th in SG: Tee-to-Green. With ample time to refine his putting on bermudagrass greens, Thomas looks primed to kick off a bounce-back 2025 season with another high finish this week.

WYNDHAM CLARK ($8,000)

He had a tough debut at the Hero World Challenge last year, finishing 19th and 22 shots behind Scottie Scheffler. However, his consistency in 2024 has been impressive, earning him the No. 6 spot in the world. In his last seven events leading up to the TOUR Championship, Clark posted four top-10 finishes and two more top-15s. While last year’s performance wasn’t ideal, his strong form makes him a contender this time around.

 

 

 

SUNGJAE IM ($7,800)

Sungjae Im returns to Albany after a T8 finish in his 2022 debut, improving each round. He’s been in excellent form over the past seven months, tallying 12 top-15 finishes worldwide. Im closed 2024 strong with a T13 at the Shriners and a T7 at the Tour Championship. Following a standout performance at the Presidents Cup, he looks poised to contend this week and carry momentum into an impactful start to 2025.

ROBERT MACINTYRE ($7,100)

He wraps up an incredible year as he makes his Albany debut. The Scot has been in excellent form, finishing top-25 in all five DP World Tour events he’s played since the TOUR Championship, including two top-10s. With his driving power and sharp putting, MacIntyre has steadily improved on approach in 2024, delivering consistent performances. Closing the DP season 5-for-5, he’s poised to carry that momentum into another strong showing this week.

NICK DUNLAP ($6,400)

Nick Dunlap has had a transformative year, going from an amateur winner to a professional with two victories under his belt. He opened the FedExCup Playoffs with a T5 finish and added three more top-15s along the way. Excelling on par-5s (T3 in par-5 scoring average), Dunlap’s game aligns perfectly with Albany’s layout, which features five par-5s. Having gained strokes on approach in seven of his last nine starts, he’s set up for another impressive performance.

 

 

 

Player Pool

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