Highlights at Albany – the front 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 over the past five years. Take a look at the top highlight from each hole on the front 9.
Hole 1
Tiger returns to action at the Hero World Challenge
2017, round 1
Following back fusion surgery in April, Tiger Woods returned to competitive action at the 2017 Hero World Challenge where he finished T9. Less than a year later, Woods added to his legacy when he won the 2018 TOUR Championship, his 80th career PGA TOUR victory.
Hole 2
Jordan’s ace
2015, round 1
In the opening round of the 2015 Hero World Challenge, defending champion Jordan Spieth aced the par-3 second hole from 172 yards with a six iron. The world number one scored a one on his second hold of competition at Albany.
Hole 3
Bubba chips in for eagle
2016, round 2
Having landed his second shot into the par-5 third hole a few paces off the front of the green, Bubba Watson chipped his third shot the length of the green to the back-right pin position. With a great roll, the ball hung on the lip before falling in for an eagle.
Hole 4
Bubba holes out from the fairway
2015, round 3
Calling for the ball to go “down, down, down” Watson watched as his approach from the fairway took two bounces and found the bottom of the cup. “Made it” he proclaimed as he moved to 14-under for the tournament.
Hole 5
Tiger chips in for birdie
2016, round 3
After his tee shot found the greenside bunker on the par-3 fifth, Tiger Woods stood over his ball looking at the flag stick. With his second shot, the tournament host chipped in for birdie eliciting some early roars from the Saturday crowd at Albany.
Hole 6
Francesco holes out from fairway
2017, round 2
From 74 yards out, Francesco Molinari took dead aim with his third shot into the par-5 sixth hole. Landing the ball three feet past the hole, Molinari drew the ball back and directly into the hole for an eagle.
Hole 7
Tiger eagles after driving the green
2017, round 4
No stranger to final round heroics during his career, tournament host Tiger Woods added another highlight after driving the green on the 336 yards par-4 seventh. With a 20-foot eagle putt, Woods curled in the perfect putt for eagle before dropping to his knees in amazement.
Hole 8
Jordan chips in
2017 round 2
After missing the green from the tee, Jordan Spieth was about 10 feet below the green looking to save par. Spieth ran a chip up and at the flag stick. His ball checked up on the fringe before hitting the flagstick and falling in for a birdie.
Hole 9
Rickie’s birdie barrage
2017, round 4
With a birdie on the ninth hole, Rickie Fowler closed out the front nine with eight birdies and a par. After starting his round with seven straight birdies, Fowler parred the eighth before a birdie on the ninth for a front-nine 28. Fowler would go on to set the course record during the final round, posting an 11-under 61 en route to a victory.