Well here it is, the final event of tne year and although it’s not actually official on the PGA Tour, it’s still a star-studded field and hosted by none other than Tiger Woods.
This week we head to the Bahamas at the posh Albany Course, New Providence for the Hero World Challenge.
Tiger Woods will be in attendance hosting this event, his first appearance since his serious car accident. He recently posted a video on his Twitter account, swinging a golf club with the comment, “Making progress”.
It’s good to see Tiger recovering so quickly after almost losing a leg but he has went on record to say that he will never get back to the top and may only play a few tournaments every year. All I can say is that to see Tiger at any event again is a huge bonus for all golfing fanatics across the globe and I’m sure The Masters will be top of the list for the best golfer to have ever played the game . Can’t wait to see you in action again at Augusta, Tiger .
This week it’s only a small field of 20 but what a strong line up we have to wrap up the year. They will all be competing for a share of the $3.5m prize pot with the winner collecting the title and a cool $1m.
This 7309 yards, par 72, parkland course is an absolutely stunning lay out and should be a birdie fest with a very low winning scorecard.
Henrik Stenson returns to defend his title as the best priced player in the field, currently 66/1 after winning this event in 2019 with last year’s tournament cancelled, due to you know what! That 66/1 could well be good value before I even try narrow down the field especially with only 19 players to beat.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout as one would expect for the Bahamas with temperatures in the high 20s and only light to moderate breezes.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT on Thursday.
Before I continue and since it’s my last preview of the year , I just want to thank you all for the kind messages, likes, DMs etc throughout the year. This amazing community at MFT is what makes it all worth my while and why I enjoy helping you all so much with my tips /previews.
As we approach the first anniversary of the passing of our founder and master, the one and only, the legendary Mr F, it’s been an honour and privilege for me to be part of Mr Fs continuing legacy here at MFT. I know you’ll all feel as proud as me to be part of this amazing community and long may it continue. Mr F loved to bash the bookie and that’s what we have done all this year with profits ridiculously reaching almost £5K to just £10 stakes.
I finished the European Tour recently with a full house of winners at the DP World Tour Championship where Collin Morikawa & Rory McIlroy fought it out with the ever talented Morikawa 17/2 coming out trumps, it could be the same again this weekend.
I also tipped our very own Bob MacIntyre at 55/1 EW, the young talented Scot from Oban finished 4th to collect for us yet another tidy profit. It’s been an absolutely phenomenal year for those of you who follow my selections every week and I’ve had so many nice messages from lots of you winning just a few quid to those requiring a wheelbarrow to collect from the bookies. Well done to you all, just so happy and glad I could help.
We will be publishing a special post with an update on the exact profits, figures and winners etc for the year, probably some time next week after the Hero World Challenge so keep a look out for that.
So let’s get back to this weeks action in the Bahamas.
Rory McIlroy
For my first and main selection I’m thinking; do I stick with my favourite golfer here who has done us proud throughout the year? …And the answer to that is, yes I do. Rory McIlroy 7/1 EW Bet365 can finish the year on a high with a hat-trick of victories.
With a much needed win earlier in the year at Wells Fargo the 32yr old Irishman has improved dramatically and is back inside the World's Top 10 at number eight.
Rory followed up his victory at Wells Fargo with a win at The CJ Cup, 4th at the Olympics, 7th at The US Open, 4th BMW Championship and 6th at the European Tour's grand finale event, the DP World Tour Championship.
He seems to be finding that groove again with his new look swing after eight months with new coach Pete Cowan but now back with Michael Bannon.
I think 2022 is going to be another big year for Rory and it would be so special if someone like Rory or our very own Bob MacIntyre could claim the claret jug at The 150th Open Championship at the home of golf, St Andrew’s.
Rory finished the PGA Tour 1st SG off the tee, 1st SG Total and 2nd SG putting. That’s stunning figures and the stats don’t lie as they say. It proves that the talented Irishman is heading in the right direction and there is much more to come from the former World No.1, he’ll be eyeing up that berth again for sure.
Let’s all roar on Rory one final time this year and hope he’s celebrating just like us all on Sunday evening.
Sam Burns
For my next selection, again I’m sticking with another of my favourites this year and a player who I’ve previously mentioned as being all over my radar on numerous occasions, he didn’t disappoint either, Sam Burns 16/1 EW Bet365.
What a breakthrough year it’s been for the talented 25yr old kid from Louisiana and I’ve tipped him to deliver the goods on a few occasions this year.
With two PGA victories in the bag this year when winning his maiden title at the Valspar Championship and then Sanderson Farms, believe me when I say that this kid is a superstar in the making.
Burns was also runner up at the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitation and also runner up at the AT&T Byron Nelson. In his last seven tournaments he has finished inside the Top 20 on six attempts with one being a victory, another finishing runner-up and five Top 10s.
Sam Burns has laid down his marker in 2021 and it’s onwards and upwards for this talented kid, especially with time on his side, expect a major in the bag in the not too distant future.
It's hard to imagine that Burns was way up in the three hundreds in the world rankings not to long ago, now he’s inside the World's Top 20. He’s all over my radar again to finish what’s been a marvellous year for Sam Burns to collect a trio of titles in 2021.
Henrik Stenson
For my next pick, you all know I like some good old value with winning selections this year including Stewart Cink 150/1 so for that reason, I’m going for the rank outsider here, Henrik Stenson 66/1 EW Bet365.
Now come on, what are these bookies thinking here? Fair enough the 45yr old Swede from Gothenburg hasn’t had the best of years but 66/1 EW with only 20 players in the field and 1-4 places available?
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out, that’s a good deal all day long and night.
Stenson did manage 3rd place recently at the Omega European Masters and remember he is the defending champion here so that could also spur him on at a course he clearly adores. I’ve actually had to re-check the price a few times as I write this but it’s still saying 66/1 so my advice is don’t go crazy but get on while it lasts at small stakes.
Remember the Swede is a two-time major champion and has won to many events to mention on both the European and PGA stage.
I’m always looking out for when the markets may have overlooked a player and I’ve got it right on a good few occasions, this could easily be another of those. A top four finish with only twenty in the field would still return a tidy profit and Stenson could well finish what’s been an absolutely amazing year for us with yet another whopping winner.
Justin Thomas v Bryson De Chambeau
For my final selection of the year it’s the customary matchbet and I’m really liking the look of Justin Thomas to get the better of Bryson De Chambeau over the 72 holes 10/11 Nap Betfair.
Hero World Challenge Tips
- Rory McIlroy 7/1 EW Bet365
- Sam Burns 16/1 EW Bet365
- Henrik Stenson 66/1 EW Bet365
- Justin Thomas to beat Bryson De Chambeau 10/11 Nap Betfair, 72 hole matchbet
