And it’s a wrap! The 2024 Hero World Challenge marks the unofficial end of the PGA Tour calendar, set for December 5-8, 2024. And while it’s not a regular-season event, it’s packed with enough intrigue to make it a must-watch. For starters, there’s no cut—every player competes all four rounds, no mid-tournament eliminations. So if you love watching high-stakes golf from start to finish, this format guarantees you’ll see all 72 holes.

What makes it even better? The 20-player field is stacked with top talent, featuring some of the best golfers in the world, all ranked within the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. With no one getting cut early, the intensity starts right from the first tee and doesn’t let up until the final putt drops. Sure, there are some big names missing like Tiger Woods (who will be hosting the event), and World No. 3 Rory McIlroy. But don’t think for a second the action will be any less exciting. With seasoned veterans and rising stars battling it out for a cool $1 million first-place prize, the stakes at the Hero World Challenge are taken to new heights in every sense.

And to be honest, the star-studded field makes it really hard to predict who’ll lift the trophy. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s look into the top 5 players on the course, who just might add a victory to their résumés.

1. Sahith Theegala

“It’s weird, I don’t feel like there’s only 11 players in the world better than me.” That was Sahith Theegala’s response during an interview at this year’s PGA Championship. Despite turning in solid performances, he felt a bit like an imposter among golf’s elite. While he might not consider himself “the best,” his results speak for themselves. Theegala is the underdog of the PGA Tour, and this could be the year he sneaks away with the trophy.

In 2023, he earned his first PGA Tour win at the Fortinet Championship, securing a two-stroke victory. And though he only has one win under his belt so far, he’s clearly on the rise. Ranked 12th in the OWGR with 9 top-10 finishes, he’s already built an impressive resume. With his flair and consistency, Theegala is certainly a player to watch out for and could easily add another win to his career at this event.

2. Patrick Cantlay:

Sure, his name recently made headlines thanks to the 2023 Ryder Cup controversy, but let’s be real—he’s way more than that. Cantlay’s resume is impressive, with 4 top-10 finishes and 8 career wins. While he’s yet to claim a victory this season, he’s currently ranked 11th in the OWGR, showing he’s more than capable of competing at the highest level.

Looking at his 2024 season, Cantlay has averaged a 20th-place finish with a score of -3 over his last six appearances at the Masters Tournament. He’s also finished in the top five once in his last five events, with a solid average score of -4. While he hasn’t captured a win this year, his consistency is hard to ignore. In seven tournaments played, he made the cut every time and earned one top-five finish. With 644 points, he sits 26th in the FedExCup standings, and while he hasn’t yet reached victory lane, the Hero World Challenge could very well be the event where he adds another win to his career.

3. Wyndham Clark:

May 2023 marked a breakthrough for Clark when he claimed his first PGA Tour title at the Wells Fargo Championship. Just a month later, he followed it up with a major win at the 2023 U.S. Open. After those back-to-back victories, he’s returned strong in 2024. His latest achievement? A third career PGA Tour win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

While that’s been his only win of the year so far, he’s competed alongside golf’s best. He finished runner-up to Scottie Scheffler at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship—becoming the first player since Lee Westwood in 2021 to finish second in consecutive weeks at those tournaments. With 9 top-25 finishes, 8 top-10 finishes, and 3 PGA Tour wins under his belt, Clark is currently ranked No. 6 in the OWGR. Looking at his pattern—two wins last year, one this year—the Hero World Challenge could be the perfect stage for him to repeat the trend and claim another victory.

4. Ludvig Åberg:

Another name to watch at the Hero World Challenge is Åberg. He made history with his debut at the 2023 RSM Classic, where he tied the lowest 72-hole total in PGA Tour history and set the record for the lowest score over the final two rounds.

Although he had to take a brief hiatus after knee surgery in September, Åberg made his comeback at the 2024 RSM Classic, aiming to defend his title. Was he successful? Not this time. But as they say, everything happens for a reason. And the silver lining here is the fire he’s likely carrying with him, eager to clinch a victory this year. And this event might just be his opportunity to turn that motivation into a win.

Fresh off a successful comeback, Åberg could be poised for another victory. And with a powerful No. 5 spot in the OWGR, the expectations are high, and he’s certainly one to keep an eye on.

5. Scottie Scheffler:

Yes, the World No. 1 is in the field, and fans have every reason to back him. Scottie Scheffler returns to defend his title after an impressive performance last year. He shot a 4-under-par 68, played bogey-free, and kept everyone at least two shots behind on the back nine. And the result? Well, we all know he finished with a 72-hole score of 20-under-par 268.

Scheffler is no stranger to this tournament. He finished second in both 2021 and 2022, just shy of the win. But in 2023, he changed the pattern and took home the trophy. This year, he’s aiming to keep that momentum going. With 13 PGA Tour wins, 16 top-10 finishes, and, of course, the No. 1 spot in the OWGR, Scheffler is a serious threat to everyone in the field.

Along with the big names, we also have South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, known for their precision and consistency on the course. Robert MacIntyre and Matthieu Pavon will also be bringing their clutch shots under pressure. So, who are you rooting for at this event? Let us know in the comments!