The Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas pulled together eighteen of the world’s best golfers in the hope of producing some of the world’s best golf. As you well know, there was a special name amongst the field this week. Amongst the world’s best golfers was arguably the world’s greatest ever golfer. Tiger’s back with a brand new back.
Whilst we couldn’t ignore the headline act, there was still a golf tournament to be played. And what a golf tournament it was. Fresh off conquering the European Tour, Tommy Fleetwood wasted no time in upsetting the apple cart on the PGA Tour. The Englishman led the field after an opening round of six-under, ahead of Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar on five-under. Tiger Woods picked up a more-than-respectable three-under on the par 72 Albany golf course, New Providence.
Charley Hoffman’s nine-under 63 stole the show on day two, taking him to twelve-under for the tournament, whilst Brooks Koepka’s six-over 78 condemned him to the worst round of the star-studded tournament. Woods hit an eagle on the ninth on his way to a four-under, leaving him five strokes off leader Charley Hoffman heading into the weekend.
Extremely blustery conditions on Saturday prevented a single player breaking 70, including a collapse from Tiger Woods. Tiger was five-over after ten holes, before saving his blushes with a couple of birdies to finish on 75 for the day and four-under heading into the final round.
Despite five birdies and an eagle on the final day, a double bogey on the tenth and back-to-back bogeys to close saw Tiger finish the tournament on eight-under at T9. Not bad at all.
Fleetwood tied Spieth on -12 for a share of third; narrowly edging out Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed, who finish on -11. Hoffman’s 70-72 weekend would usually have ensured victory, especially given the lack of below-par scores on Saturday. But Rickie Fowler climbed four places on Sunday with a remarkable eleven-under for the day to beat his American counterpart by four strokes. Fowler finished on -18 for the tournament after seven straight birdies to open the final day, before a further four birdies saw him streak into the lead.
A promising return for Tiger, a course-record and tournament-record for Fowler and yet another great result for Tommy Fleetwood. But what was in the winner’s bag?
Rickie Fowler – What’s in the Bag?
Driver: Cobra King F8+
3 Wood: Cobra F8+
5 Wood: Cobra F8+ Baffler
Irons: Cobra King Forged MB (4-PW)
Wedges: Cobra King V-Grind
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS Prototype
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Written by Joe Carabini