Hero World Challenge 2025 Preview - Tips, picks & analysis

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler returns to defend his Hero World Challenge title at Albany as Tiger Woods’ future, Ryder Cup emotions and rising stars like Robert MacIntyre and JJ Spaun dominate the storylines.

WORLD number one Scottie Scheffler hasn’t been seen since the Ryder Cup but briefly comes out of hibernation this week for the Hero World Challenge, where he is a two-time defending champion and is widely expected to pick up his seventh title of 2025 at Albany.

The tournament is, of course, hosted by Tiger Woods, who is expected to be in attendance but will not be playing as he continues to recover from his latest back surgery. On the eve of his 50th birthday, there is feverish speculation about when we might see the 15-time major champion in action again. Next year, he will be eligible to play on the Champions Tour, something he always said that he would never do.

However, he has admitted that his biggest challenge is being able to walk 72 holes under his own steam. Most of the Champions Tour events are played over 54 holes and he would be able to use a buggy. It also has to be said that if he does opt to compete with the over-50s it would provide a huge boost for the seniors tour. It remains to be seen whether Woods is ready to give up the PGA Tour just yet. No doubt he will face a barrage of questions from the media this week.

Although the tournament field comprises just 20 golfers, four of the top 10 in the world rankings will be taking part. Apart from Scheffler, they are JJ Spaun, ranked seventh, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (9) and Harris English (10).

Also in the field are past champions Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth. The field features eight golfers who have combined to win 13 major championships as well as eight 2025 Ryder Cup participants, including MacIntyre, Justin Rose and Sepp Straka from the victorious European team, and US captain Keegan Bradley and European vice captain Alex Noren.

Three players – 2025 U.S. Open champion Spaun, 2025 Genesis Scottish Open champion Chris Gotterup and Andrew Novak – will make their Hero World Challenge debuts. The 2025 field represents golfers from seven different countries (U.S., Scotland, England, Austria, Japan, Canada and Sweden).

Last year, Scheffler returned from a two-month break and nothing changed. He won the Hero World Challenge with a nine-under 63 to tie the tournament record at Albany winning by six shots.

Scheffler, the first player since Woods in 2009 to spend an entire calendar year at No. 1 in the world, won for the ninth time in 21 starts (with seven PGA TOUR wins), a tally that included a second Masters title, an Olympic gold medal and the FedExCup.

He started the final round one shot behind Justin Thomas, took the lead on the par-five third hole, stayed in front with a 50-foot birdie putt at the fourth and never looked back. Tom Kim was in contention until he missed a 19-inch par putt on the par-five 11th. He birdied the final hole for a 68 and was runner-up when Thomas drove into the water on the 18th for another bogey. He shot 71 and finished third. Thomas misses out this year as he is recovering from back surgery.

Scheffler finished at 25-under 263 to tie the tournament record first set by Bubba Watson in 2015, and his six-shot victory was the largest in the nine years the tournament has been held in the Bahamas.

“It was very satisfying,” Scheffler said. “I did a lot of good stuff today on the course. It feels nice to take a break and come back and continue to play some really solid golf.”

This was the first time that Scheffler used the claw grip on the greens. Putting had been perceived as his area of weakness. Nobody thinks that now.

This is, of course, a fun event. And nobody will be having more fun than Scotland’s MacIntyre.

He is still walking on air after a year he will never forget. Having won the Canadian Open and Scottish Open in 2024, he took his game to a different level this year, narrowly missing out on winning the US Open after JJ Spaun holed that unforgettable putt on the 72nd tee. He starred for Europe in a historic victory in New York and then came home and won the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

Keegan Bradley has made it plain that losing the Ryder Cup hurt him deeply and has admitted that he doesn’t know if he will ever get over it. This will be the first time we have seen him in action since that unforgettable three days in New York. It will be fascinating to see how he performs.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by Bubba Watson, in 2016 by Hideki Matsuyama, in 2017 by Rickie Fowler, in 2018 by Jon Rahm, in 2019 by Henrik Stenson, and in 2021 and 2022 by Viktor Hovland, and in 2023 and 2024 by Scottie Scheffler. There was no tournament in 2020.

The Course

Albany is a stunning course designed by Ernie Els. It combines a mixture of links and desert features, with windswept dunes and several water features. It is a par-72 that measures 7,309 yards.

Prize Money

The total prize fund is $5m, with the winner collecting $1m.

Hero World Challenge Betting Tips & Picks

Form Guide

Can anybody stop Scottie Scheffler from successfully defending his title? Probably not.

To win:

Scottie Scheffler. Of course.

Each way:

Robert MacIntyre. Living the dream.

Each way:

Alex Noren. Flying high.

Five to Follow

Scottie Scheffler. Glorious to watch.

Robert MacIntyre. Touch of an angel.

Alex Noren. Playing superb golf.

Keegan Bradley. Can he put the Ryder Cup behind him?

JJ Spaun. A year he will never forget.