Highlights at Albany – the back 9
There have been no shortages of highlights over the years at Albany, Bahamas. From champions stringing together long runs of birdies, to hole outs and holes in one, the action on-course at the Hero World Challenge has been thrilling the past five years. Take a look at the top highlight from each hole on the back 9.
Hole 10
Rose right at home from off the green
2015, round 1
Playing at his home course, Justin Rose found himself a few feet off the green to start his back nine. With a front-right pin placement, there was little room to land his chip. After two bounces, the ball released to the hole and dropped for a birdie.
Hole 11
Hideki hits flag stick
2016, round 1
With his third shot into the par-5 11th, Hideki Matsuyama had the right yardage as his approach hit the flagstick. Fortunately, the ball didn’t go far, resting inside three feet. Matsuyama would tap in for birdie moving to 2-under on the day. Three days later, birdies were the story as Matsuyama ran away from the field and was crowned champion.
Hole 12
Tiger’s near ace
2016, round 2
Playing 210 yards, Tiger Woods played a left-to-right shot off the tee and landed the ball on the back half of the green. The ball released down the slight slope towards the back pin position coming to rest just an inch from the hole allowing Woods to easily tap in for birdie.
Hole 13
JT chips in for birdie
2019, round 2
From off the green and below the hole, Justin Thomas chipped in for birdie on the par-4 13th. The birdie helped Thomas get to 6-under for the tournament and 3-under on his round.
Hole 14
Henrik drives the green for eagle
2019, round 1
With his new 3-wood in play, Henrik Stenson drove the 309-yard par-4 14th, landing his ball inside of 10 feet of the hole. Stenson knocked in the eagle putt and finished his opening round at 3-under. The new 3-wood would play a big role in Stenson’s 2019 victory at Albany.
Hole 15
Henrik’s 3-wood to win
2019, round 4
Arching high and climbing softly, Henrik Stenson launched a 3-wood to inches of the hole in the final round. Tapping in his eagle putt, Stenson moved into the outright lead and didn’t look back, finishing off his championship performance three holes later.
Hole 16
DJ birdies five of six holes on back nine
2018, round 2
With a 12-foot birdie putt, Dustin Johnson extended his birdie streak to four in a row with his make on the 16th. The birdie also gave Johnson birdies on five of six holes on the back nine.
Hole 17
Noren’s ace
2018, round 3
The last five holes at Albany won’t be forgotten by Alex Noren. After a birdie on the 14th, an eagle on the 15th and a triple bogey on the 16th, Noren stepped to the tee on the 17th. He never took out his putter as his tee shot found the bottom of the cup for an ace. For good measure, Noren birdied the 18th.
Hole 18
Rahm finishes with nine birdies
2018, round 2
With a birdie on the closing hole, Jon Rahm carded a 63 with nine birdies on the day putting him in prime position for a championship run over the weekend. Two days later, he would tap in a putt on 18 green to be crowned the Hero world Challenge champion. During the 2018 tournament, Rahm pledged $500 per birdie to California Strong, an athlete initiative to raise money that helps the victims of California wildfires and disasters. Rahm led the field with 25 birdies.