Hero World Challenge Preview, Picks & Analysis

Preview & tips from Sports Writer Derek Clements

Lest we forget, it was at the Hero World Challenge 12 months ago that Jordan Spieth really gave us a glimpse of what may lie ahead. Fresh from winning the Australian Open, he flew home to America the very next week, took Tiger's event by the scruff off the neck and pummelled the opposition into the dust.

It was at that same tournament that Tiger Woods emerged with his "new swing", and we discovered that he had learnt to chip the ball like a 24-handicapper. You may also recall that it marked his return from yet another injury.

The 14-time major winner is recovering from his latest back surgery and will be missing from the field this week, although, as tournament host, he will be in evidence at the tournament.

And would anybody bet against a repeat of last year? Not your correspondent for one. For a start, there is only a field of 18, and several of them are out of touch, which means you can rule out Bill Haas, Billy Horschell, Chris Kirk, Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar, Brooks Koepka, Anirban Lahiri, Zach Johnson and JB Holmes. That's nine down, nine to go. Can you see where we are going with this?

OK, so let's look at a few of the others. Paul Casey has been in fine form but it is an age since he last won; Adam Scott is probably playing the best golf of his life, but would you put money on him to hole a pressure putt? Hideki Matsuyama is nothing if not consistent, but he simply doesn't win often enough; Dustin Johnson has developed a worrying habit of crumbling when the going gets tough; and Bubba Watson either contends or misses the cut.

And so that leaves us with four men - Spieth, Justin Rose, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler. And one of those men will be adding to their victory tally. Rose looked like a tired man in Dubai, Reed has produced a series of terrific performances in recent weeks, playing superbly in Europe and Fowler looks like winning every time he plays.

But Spieth will be smarting after coming so close to making a successful defence of his Australian Open title and although this is essentially a fun event, he will have only thoughts of victory in his head.

Hero World Challenge Tips

To win: Jordan Spieth. A shoo-in for the player of the year

Each way: Rickie Fowler. Getting used to that winning feeling

Each way: Patrick Reed. Looking better and better

Hero World Challenge Fantasy Picks

Jordan Spieth. Simply the best

Rickie Fowler. Terrific competitor

Patrick Reed. Always gives it 100%

Paul Casey. Has forgotten how to win

Dustin Johnson. Could do with another victory

Justin Rose. Has played a LOT of golf this year

Adam Scott. Playing great golf

Hideki Matsuyama. Mr Consistency

Anirban Lahiri. What a year for the Indian golfer

Matt Kuchar. Due a decent week

Image credit - Gary Player Twitter