Winner in 2021 and 2022. As with most champions needed a few things to fall his way on first occasion, then survived a shocking mistake on the final hole for the second. Returns an improved player rated by DataGolf as the best in the world right now, so was always going to top the betting. Also of note is the fact he played in the DP World Tour Championship – winners of this have generally arrived well-prepared. The man to beat.
Last seen at the Ryder Cup where he mixed some good golf with that record defeat to Hovland and Aberg. Not the only reason he'll want revenge on the former as he's been runner-up to Hovland on both starts here, including when letting him off the hook 12 months ago. Since then has entered a pit of putting despair and with no strokes-gained data this week, it'll be worth a close eye on how that aspect of his game looks. Potential for rust having not been in action since the beginning of October.
Stormed to victory in the ZOZO Championship, ending a winless run of almost two years. That wasn't the strongest renewal but he couldn't have been any more impressive, putting well and hitting his ball like he usually does. Collapsed when in command on debut here in 2021 (world number one carrot the likely reason) and was in the mix all week in a tougher, windier renewal last year, so the course is a good one even if he lacks the firepower of some. Probably short enough.
It shouldn't be, because Thomas has played with Woods many times before. I won't argue that his head-to-head superiority (14-2) is a plus given Woods' health problems, but shooting an opening 65 alongside him in a US Open has to be, and Thomas dazzled at Riviera in 2019 when opening 65-66, 10 shots better than the tournament host.
More so than any other player in this field, Thomas knows what playing with Woods is all about and this won't be the kind of frenzy we might see elsewhere, so I can't see it as an excuse.
Five par-fives is a big plus together with a driveable par-four, all of them playing to the strengths of one of the longest and best drivers in this field.
It's no wonder Young took to Albany last year, finishing third when selected at the same kind of price. The case then is as it is now: those scoring holes, plus the fact that he'd been runner-up in the Open, a performance he added to this summer at Hoylake.
The fact that he went so well despite his best ball-striking can be seen as a positive and while his form in the autumn doesn't leap off the page, he was close to the lead for much of the RSM Classic last time.
Sea Island doesn't look the right course for him but this certainly is and he's entitled to go well once more.
Posted at 1330 GMT on 28/11/23
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