The Hero World Challenge, an invitation-only event featuring just 18 players, gets underway at the Albany course in the Bahamas on Thursday and the first round two-balls have thrown up some interesting pairings, not least Patrick Reed against Tiger Woods, now ranked 898 in the world. The Albany is an exposed, links-style course and, with windy weather forecast, should suit Reed better than his illustrious playing companion, who makes his first start since August last year.
Fellow Texan Jordan Spieth, also grew up playing in the wind and comes into the tournament on the back of a victory in the Australian Open two weeks ago. He finished fourth in this event last year, on this course, and can use his superior scrambling skills to good effect against Matt Kuchar.
South Carolinian Dustin Johnson heads the outright market alongside Spieth, but could only finish 15th last year and hasn’t played since finishing tied 35th in a WGC-HSBC event in China in October. He makes little appeal at odds-on in the first round two-ball betting against Brooks Koepka, who finished runner-up in the Shriners Hospitals Open on his last outing and has plenty of links experience.
Selections: First Round Two-Balls, Patrick Reed (8/15), Jordan Spieth (4/6), Brooks Koepka (6/5), 1-point Win Treble (4.62/1 with bet365)
