Many of the PGA Tour’s elite golfers are back in the Bahamas this week for the 2021 Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club. The Hero World Challenge field includes 15 of the top 20 in the official World Golf Ranking, and all 20 golfers rank among the top 50. The unofficial PGA Tour event benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, with a $3.5 million purse and full world ranking points, and the 15-time major champion will be on site. The tournament was canceled last year, and Henrik Stenson won in 2019 by one stroke over Jon Rahm, who won’t compete this week.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Rory McIlroy as the 15-2 favorite in its latest Hero World Challenge golf odds. Many golfers are tightly grouped not far behind, led by Collin Morikawa (8-1) and Justin Thomas (10-1). Others in the 2021 Hero World Challenge field who are expected to contend include Viktor Hovland (11-1), Jordan Spieth (11-1), Xander Schauffele (12-1) and Bryson DeChambeau (12-1). Before you make any 2021 Hero World Challenge bets or PGA Tour predictions, be sure to check out what proven golf insider Sal Johnson has to say.
The esteemed golf insider has been around the game for many years and knows what it takes to win. Johnson had a strong run during the fall season.
Before the Mayakoba event in Mexico, Johnson had Viktor Hovland among his players to watch, while he predicted Koepka would miss the cut. Koepka didn’t break par and went home early again, while Hovland shot 23 under to cruise to a four-stroke victory.
Before the Zozo Championship in Japan, Johnson tabbed Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets, and he was right on the money. Matsuyama shot a final-round 65 and won by five strokes after trailing by one with eight holes to play on Sunday.
At the Sanderson Farms Championship, Johnson nailed Burns as his winner. Anyone who has followed Johnson’s advice has cashed in huge.
Now Johnson, the first producer of “Inside the PGA Tour,” a longtime ABC Sports golf producer who worked with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and founder of the world’s top golf stats database, has released his highly confident 2021 Hero World Challenge golf picks, and they will surprise you. You can only see Johnson’s expert PGA Tour golf picks at SportsLine.
Top 2021 Hero World Challenge golf predictions
In a huge surprise, the golf expert is strongly fading Bryson DeChambeau, who is among the favorites at 12-1. The 2020 U.S. Open champion hasn’t played much recently, and he hasn’t looked in form when he has. He played poorly in The Match V against rival Brooks Koepka last weekend. He failed to post a birdie and conceded after nine holes in the scheduled 12-hole exhibition match. Albany doesn’t fit his game very well, and he finished 12th and T-15 in his two appearances. You’re much better off looking elsewhere, Johnson says.
On the other hand, Johnson is as impressed as anyone by Morikawa’s rise. The 24-year-old already has five tour victories, including two major championships, and has soared to No. 2 in the world. He won last week’s DP World Tour Championship Dubai and has a runner-up finish and a T-7 in his two tour events this season. He posted eight top-10’s in his last 16 events of 2020-21. Morikawa was second in strokes gained tee-to-green last season and fifth in greens in regulation (70.8 percent). He will be making his first appearance at Albany Golf Club this week.
Johnson also knows McIlroy can be hot and cold, as he has shown in his past two events. He won the CJ Cup at Summit at 25 under in October, and he led at the return in the final round at DP World Dubai last week. But he collapsed down the stretch and shot a final-round 74 to finish T-6 as Morikawa surged to victory. The Northern Irishman’s CJ Cup victory was the first time in his past five tour events he didn’t have at least one round in the 70s. He had strong stats last season, ranking second in driving distance (319.3 yards) and 16th in scoring average (70.043).
How to make 2021 Hero World Challenge golf picks
Johnson is backing a long shot who comes into this week at more than 20-1. This veteran has had some strong finishes recently, and even when he isn’t playing well his putter can keep him in contention. This golfer could pull off a stunning victory in this star-studded field, and anyone who backs this underdog could cash in huge. You can only get Johnson’s Hero World Challenge picks at SportsLine.
Who wins the 2021 Hero World Challenge? Where do Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy finish? And which massive long-shot is a must-back? Check out the odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Sal Johnson’s full leaderboard, picks and analysis for the 2021 Hero World Challenge, all from the insider who knows what it takes to win on the PGA Tour, and find out.
2021 Hero World Challenge odds, field, top contenders
Rory McIlroy 15-2
Collin Morikawa 8-1
Justin Thomas 10-1
Jordan Spieth 11-1
Viktor Hovland 11-1
Xander Schauffele 12-1
Bryson DeChambeau 12-1
Sam Burns 16-1
Tony Finau 16-1
Scottie Scheffler 16-1
Daniel Berger 18-1
Abraham Ancer 18-1
Webb Simpson 20-1
Brooks Koepka 20-1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 22-1
Patrick Reed 25-1
Tyrrell Hatton 25-1
Justin Rose 25-1
Harris English 33-1
Henrik Stenson 50-1
