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Hero World Challenge power rankings: Top ten at Albany

By Brandon Raper

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 04: Rickie Fowler of the United States putts on the 12th hole during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 4, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 04: Rickie Fowler of the United States putts on the 12th hole during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 4, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Hideki Matsuyama Hero World Challenge
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 29: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays his shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the WGC – HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 29, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

The defending champion of the Hero World Challenge, Matsuyama returns to Albany with expectations just as high, but his form hasn’t been quite as strong.

It’s hard to believe it’s been less than four months since Matsuyama ran away with the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, but he became a complete nonfactor (and that’s being generous) in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He missed the cut at The NORTHERN TRUST, tied for 23rd at the Dell Technologies Championship, 47th at the BMW Championship, and 26th (out of 30) at the TOUR Championship.

After a tough showing at the Presidents Cup, Matsuyama got right back in the mix at the CIMB Classic, using a third-round 63 to vault into a tie for fifth place at his season opener. He stumbled a bit at the WGC-HSBC Champions – 4-over for the week, tied for 50th – but the positive energy he’ll carry from last year’s win should help quite a bit.

Matsuyama has some huge goals ahead of himself in 2018, specifically breaking through for his first major championship. While that is still several months away, this week’s field provides the type of competition he can expect to see in the biggest events on the TOUR calendar. If he walks away with this event like he did at Firestone, that will set the tone for the year early.

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