If you’re looking to beat the cold weather and the winter blues this December then why not escape to the sun and take in some top-class golf while you’re at it?
Although it’s not an official money event on the PGA Tour, the Hero World Challenge is a popular fixture on its calendar at the end of each year. Founded by Woods in 2000, this event gathers a small, exclusive field of 20 of the world’s best golfers to meet in a competition benefiting the Tiger Woods Foundation children’s charity.
With the field limited to just a small selection of world-class players, breath-taking shots are par for the course:
Woods hosts the event each year at the Albany Resort in the Bahamas, where it has been held since 2015. Unsurprisingly, the 15-time major-winning golf legend is the Hero World Challenge’s most successful participant, having won it on no fewer than 5 occasions, albeit the most recent of those was in 2011. The 46-year-old recently revealed 17 of the 20 players confirmed for this year’s field, and it’s packed with impressive names:
- Scottie Scheffler (Official World Golf Ranking: 1), USA
- Xander Schauffele (OWGR: 5), USA
- Jon Rahm (OWGR: 6), Spain
- Justin Thomas (OWGR: 7), USA
- Collin Morikawa (OWGR: 8), USA
- Will Zalatoris (OWGR: 9), USA
- Matt Fitzpatrick (OWGR: 10), England
- Viktor Hovland (OWGR: 11), Norway
- Sam Burns (OWGR: 12), USA
- Jordan Spieth (OWGR: 13), USA
- Tony Finau (OWGR: 14), USA
- Billy Horschel (OWGR: 15), USA
- Hideki Matsuyama (OWGR: 16), Japan
- Cameron Young (OWGR: 17), USA
- Sungjae Im (OWGR: 18), South Korea
- Max Homa (OWGR: 20), USA
- Tom Kim (OWGR: 21), South Korea
Woods himself has played in just 3 events in 2022 as he continues to recover from the leg injury he suffered in a car crash in February 2021, but with 3 spots still open he may yet appear at the Hero World Challenge. The defending champion is Viktor Hovland, who won in his event debut in 2021 after he hit back-to-back eagles in the final round to help complete an incredible 6-shot comeback.
This year’s event runs from 1-4 December, with standard tickets costing USD $80. Hospitality is also available, not only providing access to a pavilion overlooking the 18th hole and premium food and beverages, but also invitations to post-golf parties on Friday and Sunday for an unforgettable experience.
