Preview

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Picks

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Event Info

Starts: 30th November 2023
Course: Albany Golf Course
Par: 72
Length: 7,414 yards
2022 Champion: Viktor Hovland

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Course Info

This will be the eigth time Albany Golf Course has hosted the golf Hero World Challenge.  An Ernie Els designed course, it is links like and windswept.  

Significant Info To Be Aware Of

Caution is advised at a windy venue.
This is only a 20 man field.

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Weather

Thursday: Rain showers possible.  Wind 10-15mph.

Friday: Rain showers possible.  Wind 10-15mph. 

Saturday: Rain showers possible.  Wind 10-15mph. 

Sunday: Rain showers possible.  Wind 10-15mph.

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Trends

Winning Score
The Hero World Challenge winning score has been between sixteen and twenty under par in each of the last six events.  Four of those six events have been won with a score of -18.

Course Form
Course form does repeat at Albany GC.  Viktor Hovland is a two time winner, Henrik Stenson has a win and a runner up finish, as does Jon Rahm.  Course experience is definitely helpful.

Recent Form
Five of the seven winners of this event had recorded a top five finish in their previous start.  Staying sharp at the end of a long season is undoubtedly beneficial.

Staying Sharp
Viktor Hovland's win in 2021 was the only occurrence in the last seven years where the winner has had more than a two week break.  Three of the last four winners had played the DP World Tour Championship, with only one week off in between.  

Age
Five of the seven winners in the Bahamas have been in in their twenties.  Henrik Stenson (2019) and Bubba Watson (2015) were the exceptions.

Nationality
The last four winners have been European but prior to that there were two American winners and a Japanese player.

PGA Hero World Challenge 2023 Trends Shortlist

Using the information above, we have taken into account the three most relevant trends to establish a shortlist of potential winners.  The trends used were:

Age: Under 30
Staying Sharp: No longer than a two week break
Recent Form: Top five finish in last start

The player(s) who meet the above three criteria are:

Viktor Hovland

Note - Max Homa and Justin Thomas would have satisfied the criteria, were they not 33 and 30 respectively.  Matt Fitzpatrick would have made the list were he to have placed inside the top five at the DP World Tour Championship (he finished 27th).

2023 PGA Hero World Challenge In-Play Advice

Fast or Slow Start
Five of the seven winners of this event have been within two shots of the lead after the opening round.  On;y Henrik Stenson (three shots back) and Jon Rahm (six shots behind) have overcome bigger deficits after the opening 18 holes. 

2023 PGA Hero World Challenge Picks