The Bahamas Hosts Hero World Challenge

The PGA Hero World Challenge taking place in Nassau attracted some of the best pro golfers from around the world.  All of the golfers participating in the Challenge are ranked in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, including Jordan Spieth, the defending champion.

 For the Hero World Challenge, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism teamed up with famed golfers, Tiger Woods, Joe Lewis and Ernie Els, and inked a three-year golf deal, that began this week. The event is held at the newly built ultra-luxurious Albany Resort in Nassau, Bahamas and has drawn golf lovers, celebrities and media from across the globe.

 “We’ve continued to invest in sports marketing in The Bahamas and create partnerships that provide a win-win for all concerned. The Hero World Challenge is precisely the type of world-class sporting event that shines worldwide attention on our stunning islands, especially when it brings in the caliber of athletes who are taking part in this prestigious tournament,” said Honorable Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism for The Islands Of The Bahamas. “We are delighted to host the Hero World Challenge and wish the best of luck to all of the golfers.”

 Here is a snapshot of some of the more interesting pairings this week as reported by the PGA Tour:

 Justin Rose-Adam Scott: Two Albany members lead off the proceedings. Rose finished eighth in the 2015 FedExCup after a runner-up finish at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. He’s also No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking after a recent win at the UBS Hong Kong Open, his second victory of 2015 (Zurich Classic of New Orleans). Rose has finished in the top seven in four of his past five worldwide starts. Scott, who finished 106th in the 2015 FedExCup, has shown better form overseas in recent weeks. He’s coming off consecutive top-five finishes in Australia (fifth, UNIQLO Masters; T2, Australian Open). He also finished second at the CIMB Classic and, like Rose, has finished in the top seven in four of his past five worldwide starts.  

Bubba Watson-Rickie Fowler: Not only is this a fun-loving pairing, but it features two of the top five players in the 2015 FedExCup. Fowler finished fourth after wins at THE PLAYERS Championship and Deutsche Bank Championship. He also won this year's Scottish Open. Watson finished fourth in the FedExCup after victories at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions and Travelers Championship. 

 Anirban Lahiri-Jordan Spieth: Spieth is the defending champion after a 10-shot victory at Isleworth near Orlando. The win was Spieth’s second in consecutive weeks after winning the Australian Open. Those two victories helped prepare him for his big 2015 that included two majors and the FedExCup. Last week, Spieth finished second to Matt Jones in his title defense Down Under. Lahiri, whose breakout season included a fifth-place finish at the PGA Championship, Presidents Cup appearance and two worldwide victories, is playing his first season as a PGA TOUR member. Lahiri also is sponsored by Hero, the tournament’s title sponsor, and is from India, the company’s home country. 

 Today’s match-ups include:  Justin Rose and Adam Scott;  J.B. Holmes and Patrick Reed; Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk; Hideki Matsuyama and Jimmy Walker; Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler;  Zach Johnson and Bill Hass;  Anirban Lahiri and Jordan Spieth;  Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar; and Paul Casey and Brooks Koepka.

 You may follow the Challenge on Twitter at #HeroWorldChallenge or @TWFoundation.