Steve Palmer's Hero World Challenge predictions and free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Hero World Challenge at The Albany on the PGA Tour.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf & Main Event from 6.30pm on Thursday

Best bets

Tony Finau
4pts each-way 9-1 general

Viktor Hovland
3pts each-way 14-1 general

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Jon Rahm won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the week before last, parading silverware alongside Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy, and there was an end-of-term party feel for both men. Just 11 days later, Rahm will tee off in the Hero World Challenge.

Rahm would never admit it - and would not want to upset tournament host Tiger Woods - but the Spaniard may have a tinge of regret about the Hero being on his schedule. McIlroy is skipping the event and it could well be difficult for Rahm to reignite his competitive instincts so soon after that Dubai showpiece.

It must also be noted how badly Rahm drove his ball over the weekend of the DP World Tour Championship. The short-price Hero favourite may not get away with such loose tee-shots again this week. He has a great Albany record but can be resisted at the cramped odds.

The same goes for Scottie Scheffler, who is second in the betting. The former world number one has lost putting confidence over the last few months and has not won a tournament since the Masters. Scheffler let the Tour Championship slip from his grasp then had a poor Presidents Cup.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Tony Finau 9-1

A two-pronged Hero attack is recommended, led by Tony Finau, who has never been a more complete player. The Utah giant is in the form of his life, having won three of his last seven tournaments.

Finau has emphatically cured one of his main weaknesses, straightening up significantly from tee to green. He used to be long but wild - now he is long and straight. It was accurate driving and fantastic putting which won him the Houston Open last time out - and winning in that style shows that the 33-year-old is becoming a rock-solid all-rounder.

Inaccuracy and poor putting were holding Finau back - they were the main reasons he went so long between his first and second PGA Tour victories - but there is a confidence in all departments at the moment which has turned this much-loved character into a prolific champion.

Finau's last three triumphs have been by emphatic margins. His maiden title came on a tropical island - Puerto Rico - and his sixth PGA Tour crown could be coming in the Bahamas on Sunday. Albany is a track which he relishes.

Finau finished runner-up on his Albany debut in 2018 despite opening with a 72. He was tenth in 2019 despite arriving in dismal form and opening with a 79, then seventh last year when again jetting to the Bahamas off the back of bad recent results.

This time Finau has turned up bursting with confidence. He is a Ryder Cup winner, a Presidents Cup winner, an established member of the elite, and a threat for all next year's Majors, fully deserving a short price for the Hero World Challenge.

Next best bet

Viktor Hovland 14-1

The ball-striking of Viktor Hovland has slowly but surely returned in recent months - the Norwegian has always been one of the best in the business from tee to green - and his iron-play was sensational in the World Wide Technology Championship.

Tenth place in Mexico followed fourth spot in the Open, fifth in the BMW PGA Championship and fifth in the Zozo Championship. A share of 23rd in the DP World Tour Championship last time out was disappointing, but it could be slightly excused given his clubs turned up late in Dubai, denying perfect preparation.

Hovland loves teeing up in tropical locations, having won his maiden PGA Tour title in Puerto Rico, then back-to-back Tour wins in Playa del Carmen, and victory on his debut in the Hero World Challenge last year. Hovland fell in love with Albany, carding four rounds in the 60s, and should go close to a successful defence this week.

Players to note

Collin Morikawa
The two-time Major champion squandered a five-shot final-round lead on his Albany debut last year, finishing fifth. Every chance of redemption this week if he has been practising, which is far from certain given that he got married last weekend.

Xander Schauffele
The Californian has had great success in small-field, no-cut PGA Tour events like this one. The Scottish Open champion deserves respect but he hasn't competed for a month and a half.

Tommy Fleetwood
A successful Nedbank Challenge title defence has put the spring back in the step of the Englishman, who will like the windy weather forecast. He was third in his only previous Albany start.

Justin Thomas
Like Morikawa, some recent nuptials may have taken his eye off the ball. Thomas got married at the start of this month and hasn't competed since finishing 40th in the CJ Cup more than a month ago.

Albany course guide

Course Albany, New Providence, The Bahamas
Prize money $3.5m ($1m to the winner)
Length 7,414 yards
Par 72 - five par-fives, eight par-fours, five par-threes
Field 20 (no cut)
Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) Scottie Scheffler (2), Jon Rahm (5), Xander Schauffele (6), Justin Thomas (8), Matt Fitzpatrick (9)
Course records - 72 holes 263 Bubba Watson (2015) 18 holes 61 Rickie Fowler (2017)

Course winners taking part Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland

When to bet By 4pm on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf & Main Event from 6.30pm on Thursday

Time difference The Bahamas is five hours behind the UK and Ireland

Course type Parkland

Course overview The World Challenge's traditional home was Sherwood Country Club, California, where it was staged from 2000 to 2013, but it moved to Isleworth Country Club, Florida, in 2014, then to Albany in 2015. Albany is a luxury resort on the island of New Providence, which opened in December, 2010. Ernie Els designed the course and is a member there, along with Tiger Woods. The straightforward, open, relatively rough-free, links-style track encourages aggressive golf. The field size increased from 18 to 20 last year

Story of last year A frontrunning Collin Morikawa imploded in the final round, before Viktor Hovland ended up pipping Scottie Scheffler by a shot

Weather forecast Sunny, warm and breezy throughout, with Friday afternoon set to be particularly windy

Type of player suited to the challenge Bubba Watson overpowered Albany in 2015, going 13 under par for the five par-fives and 12 under par for the rest of the course. Big-hitters carrying hot putters can destroy this track, although the wind may check the scoring a little this time

Key attribute Power

Spotlight insight The last three winners of the Hero World Challenge have been European

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