Great balance in the Bahamas where, after the first round of the Hero World Challenge, an unofficial tournament of the PGA Tour, there are four leaders: the Norwegian Viktor Hovland (reigning champion), the American Collin Morikawa, the South Korean Tom Kim and the ‘Austrian Sepp Straka, who entered the field in extremis after the injury knockout of Tiger Woods.
In Albany, on the island of New Providence, they lead the standings with a score of 69 (-3) strokes, one ahead of the American Sam Burns, 5/o with 70 (-2). At the Albany Golf Course (par 72) it is therefore a tussle at the top.
Never in the history of the competition, which this year celebrates its 23rd edition, have there been four competitors in the lead. And now Hovland, number 12 in the world, aims to become the first player since 2006-2007 (Woods) to win back-to-back kermesse.
Great start also for Kim, the only one among the 20 competitors in the field to have registered a bogey free trial. As for the other big names, Scottie Scheffler – second in 2021 – is 9/o with 72 (par) alongside Tony Finau, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele.
While the Spanish Jon Rahm is 13/o with 73 (+1).
Hero World Challenge, results
The appointment, organized with the collaboration of the Tiger Woods foundation, has a prize of 3,500,000 dollars, of which 1,000,000 will go to the winner.
The first round of the Hero World Challenge 2022 has ended, an event of an extremely particular nature included in the PGA Tour 2022-2023 even if it does not offer any points for the FedEx Cup. A quartet made up of South Korean Tom remains in the lead Kim, the Norwegian Viktor Hovland, the American Collin Morikawa and the Austrian Sepp Straka, all at -3.
For Straka, in particular, a completely unpredictable situation initially, given that he entered by virtue of Tiger Woods’ forfeit. Fifth alone is Sam Burns at -2, followed by a trio made up of Cameron Young, Max Homa and the Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, all at -1.
Only Stars and Stripes in ninth with Tony Finau, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler tied for par. Speaking of Scheffler, it should be remembered that, in case of victory in the tournament, he will regain the top of the world ranking.
However, it should be noted that, at the end of the year, in any case it will be Rory McIlroy who will hold the scepter. The ranking is completed as follows: in 13th place (+1) Billy Horschel and the Spanish Jon Rahm, in 15th (+2) Kevin Kisner, the South Korean Sungjae Im, the English Matt Fitzpatrick and the Irishman Shane Lowry, in 19th (+3) the Canadian Corey Conners, in 20th (+4) Jordan Spieth.
