Hero World Challenge betting tips: Morikawa and McIlroy the men to beat

Preview and odds for this week’s tournament

An elite field of just 20 players are in the Bahamas this week and we have studied the odds to pick out some Hero World Challenge betting tips.

The tournament did not take place last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic but is back with Tiger Woods as the host at Albany Golf Club.

His comments about a possible return to action have made headlines but he is not in action this week at the 7,309-yard links-style course which is hosting this event for the sixth time.

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The bookies cannot split Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy in the Hero World Challenge odds with the pair priced up as 15/2 joint favourites.

Morikawa appears to be in better form heading into this week as he returns to action for the first time since winning the European Tour’s Race to Dubai in style with victory at the DP World Tour Championship.

The American finished three shots clear in Dubai and another win this week would see him take over from Jon Rahm at the top of the world rankings.

It remains to be seen whether that helps him focus or adds extra pressure on the 24-year-old and McIlroy will hope his experience gives him the edge.

He appears to have all the skills needed to succeed here, despite never previously competing at this course, but his poor finish in Dubai may cause some punters to swerve him.

Justin Thomas is seen as the biggest threat to Morikawa and McIlroy at 9/1 but will need to significantly improve here, having only managed one top-10 finish in three previous attempts.