20 of the best players in the world are in the Bahamas this week for the 2025 Hero World Challenge. Given that the 2025 season is over, and this is landing before the inaugural event of the 2026 season, this is an invitational event hosted by Tiger Woods. While this doesn’t offer FedExCup points or “official” money, there is still $5,000,000 up for grabs as well as OWGR points. With some of the best players on the planet in attendance, this should be a fun one.

Let’s dive in!

 

Hero World Challenge 2025: Daily Fantasy Golf Picks & Projections

This event debuted in 2000, as it was hosted twice that season as the Williams World Challenge. From the December 2000 hosting, until 2013 this event was hosted at Sherwood Country Club. As of 2015, this event moved to Albany in the Bahamas, where it has been hosted since. Tiger Woods now hosts the event, and he’s won this event 5 times, which is 3 more ahead of the closest other repeat winner.

 

Albany GC: Course Breakdown This Week

This resort was designed by Ernie Els, in 2010, is a real test for players. The nearly 7,500 yard par 72 has a unique layout, consisting of 5 par 5s and 3s, and only 8 par 4s. Par 5 scoring takes an expected jump as a result, and long distance approach sees a similar bump given the distance of the course. Wind can play defense on the course, however it is not the innate defense of the venue. Lateral bunkers, and runouts into natural hazards are found throughout the course, and can truly cause havoc on otherwise good shots on the venue. 

The distance breakdown of this course is a bit more unique, unsurprising given the unique layout of the venue. The par 3’s play longer than average, with the shortest coming in at 179 and the longest at 217. While longer, this gives us a concise scoring bucket to focus on. The par 4s see the largest range, with the shortest playing a reachable 307, and the longest at 513. The par 5s all play over 550 yards, with the longest coming in at 632. These scoring buckets are clear, and it’s also clear that those with high distance and swing speed should see a boost this week. 

This course will play very similarly to many links style, and desert style venues. Control off the tee becomes an added bonus as well, given that missing the fairway can cause serious issues. This event is not equipped with ShotLink, meaning we need to focus on more historical performance from the players, rather than historical benefits of this specific venue. As previously mentioned, par 5 scoring and distance approach will see increases in importance this week, as will par 3 scoring, good drives gained, sand saves, and putting on Bermuda.

When looking at everything as a whole, we will focus in a few other key areas as well. Given the potentially windy conditions and designed landing spots, SG: Ball-striking will see a bump as well. Given the extremely short field of this event, it is imperative that we focus more heavily on those with a true chance to win, leaning us more heavily into recent form as well as historical performance at Albany GC.

 

Hero World Challenge 2025 Field: Golf DFS

Scottie Scheffler is the back-to-back defending champion here, and is the outright favorite to win this event yet again. Hideki Matsuytama and Jordan Spieth are the only previous winners in the field this week. Jordan Spieth is the lowest ranked player in the field at 70th, but all remaining players in the field rank inside the top 50. We see younger stars like Akshay Bhatia, and veterans like Billy Horschel and Justin Rose. With a wide variety of talent in the field, all of these players can win, but it’s important that we focus on the cream of the crop this week.

 

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PGA Best Bets & Predictions: 2025 Hero World Challenge Championship (28-42 Overall, +11.5 Units)

  • Corey Conners: Top 10 (+100)
  • Scottie Scheffler: First Round Leader (+450)
 

GOLF DFS PICKS THIS WEEK: Top Tier

Scottie Scheffler ($14,900 DraftKings/$14,200 FanDuel)

Scottie costs $5,000 more than the next closest player and no one should be shocked by that. He’s the single best player on the planet, has back to back wins at this event, and hasn’t finished outside the top 10 of an event since The Players or outside the top 20 since the WM Phoenix Open. He’s got 9 wins in his last 25 starts, and is in line to compete for yet another win here.

J.J. Spaun ($9,500 DraftKings/$10,100 FanDuel)

J.J. Spaun is one of the more surprising stories from 2025, but it should be no surprise to see his name here. He’s 25th in total driving, 28th in Par 3 scoring, and 16th in Par 4 scoring. He lacks the par 5 scoring upside that may be necessary to win here, but his all-around game lines up well for this event.

Cameron Young ($9,200 DraftKings/$10,600 FanDuel)

Cam Young is the home run swing in this section. He lacks driving accuracy, but makes up for it by being one of the longest in the field. He’s the worst in the field in par 3 scoring, but top 20 on tour on par 4s and 5s. He’s one of the best putters in the world, strong out of the sand, but struggles on approach. He would be a surprising win, but in a field where Scottie is likely pushing 50 percent rostership, he’s going to be a chance to break the mold to win.

 

GOLF DFS PICKS THIS WEEK: MID-TIER

GOLF DFS PICKS THIS WEEK: MID-TIER

Keegan Bradley ($8,700 DraftKings/$9,800 FanDuel)

Captain America played some strong golf at the Skins Game, where he took home 11 skins. He’s got strong all around game when it comes to play off the tee and around the green. He has struggled on the greens this year, but historically has performed well on bermuda. He’s a fun name to root for, and will likely surprise many with his performance this week.

Sam Burns ($8,900 DraftKings/$10,300 FanDuel)

Burns is the best putter on the planet, and the rest of his game is strong enough to make him a contender here. He finished 2025 42nd in total driving, 26th in Sand Save Percentage, 12th in par 4 scoring, and in the top half of players on par 3s and 5s. He’s got the game to win, and he could be a reverse Scottie type player if he can dial in his ball-striking in 2026. 

Justin Rose ($8,000 DraftKings/$9,200 FanDuel)

Rose is the first player this week (besides Scottie) where I’m leaning heavily on previous performance. Rosey has played here yearly since 2015 (the debut year at Albany GC), and has only once finished outside the top 10. More recently, he’s rattled off 5 straight top 9 finishes or better, and just put up a great performance at the DP World Tour Championship, where he finished T14th. His recent and historical form mean I’m wheels up on him this week.

 

GOLF DFS PICKS THIS WEEK: VALUE TIER

Sepp Straka ($7,700 DraftKings/$9,600 FanDuel)

Straka is usually a bit of a short course merchant, but he has success here. He’s never finished outside the top 10 here, and has a runner up finish here in 2023. He’s been off since August in terms of professional play, so I’m sure he’s ready to get back out here and show what he’s capable of.

Chris Gotterup ($7,100 DraftKings/$8,400 FanDuel)

Gotterup is debuting here, but he’s also got game. He finished 2025 9th in SG: Off-The-Tee, 22nd in GIR percentage, 19th in scrambling, and is one of the best bogey avoiders in the world. He’s got sneaky game, and this sneaky game gives him a great chance to win this week.

Corey Conners ($6,800 DraftKings/$8,500 FanDuel)

Conners is another player who sneakily has an amazing all around game. He’s one of the most accurate drivers in the field, has an amazing approach game at 200+ yards, and finished top 70 in putting this year. He’s got great par 4 scoring numbers, and while he’s struggled a bit on the other holes, I believe Conners can come out of nowhere to compete at this event. At this price, he’s a no-brainer for me

 

PGA DFS Picks This Week (Cheat Sheet)

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