Power Rankings: 2018 Hero World Challenge

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3. Justin Thomas

For the second-straight season, nobody earned more money on the PGA Tour than current World No. 4 Justin Thomas, who followed up his 2017 haul of $9.9 million with $8.7 million in 2018.

Justin Thomas Hero World Challenge
Justin Thomas tees off during the 2017 Hero World Challenge at Albany Course in Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

It was surprising that he did not perform better in the majors, but it was still a phenomenal season as he posted three victories among 10 top 10 finishes, with the most recent coming at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August, and he was the American star of the Ryder Cup.

This will be Thomas’ second attempt at the Hero (he was solo-11th last year), and he is arriving in The Bahamas off more than a month of rest. We think he ends 2018 on a high note.

Odds: 9-1
World Rank: 4th
Field Rank: 3rd
Last Six: 36, 5, 7, 12, 24, 8


2. Bryson DeChambeau

A Hero World Challenge rookie, the unorthodox 25-year-old DeChambeau asserted himself as one of the world’s elite players in 2018, winning three events, including two during the FedExCup Playoffs, and then adding a fourth win at the recent Shriners Hospitals For Children Open, the only event he has played since the new season began.

Bryson DeChambeau Wins Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin
Bryson DeChambeau celebrates an eagle on the 16th in the final round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Now No. 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings, DeChambeau has the look of a future No. 1, and in this limited (but elite) field event lots of points are there for the taking, as even the last-place finisher (18th) is guaranteed points, while the winner will take home 48 – about what the champion of a regular top-tier PGA Tour event like the Honda Classic receives.

We think he will play well enough at Albany (top 5) and add another – at minimum – 10 points or so to keep notching slowly upwards.

Unless he decides his style doesn’t mesh with Bahamas golf, expect him to become a regular at this event in the future. At the very least, he will be invited every year, as he and Tiger have reportedly forged a tight friendship.

Odds: 11-1
World Rank: 5th
Field Rank: 4th
Last Six: 1, 19, 19, 1, 1, MC


1. Justin Rose

The highest-ranked player in the Hero field (No. 2), Rose has been the best golfer in the world over the past 12 months, and is currently on a scorching six-start stretch where he’s finished runner-up twice alongside three additional top 10s (3rd, 8th, 4th), and a repeat victory at the Turkish Airlines Open.

Justin Rose WGC HSBC
Justin Rose during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International GC on October 29, 2017 in Shanghai, China. Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images

Since the start of 2018, Rose has posted one great finish after another, which allowed him to capture the $10 million FedExCup Championship.

Since finishing T5 at last year’s Hero World Challenge, Rose has made 22 starts worldwide. In those starts, he has three victories, three runner-ups, 10 top 5s, and 15 top 10s. On the PGA Tour, he finished 2nd in birdie average and 2nd in scoring average. Put succinctly, he is very,very good.

Odds: 7-1
World Rank: 2nd
Field Rank: 1st
Last Six: 1, 3, 8, 4, 2, 2


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