Whilst the action over on the DP World Tour might take up all of the attention, over on the PGA Tour one of the most important events of the season will be taking place in the shape of the 2024 Bermuda Championship.
Although the Bermuda Championship is by no means one of the most prestigious titles that can be won on the PGA Tour, it is one of the final tournaments of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Fall schedule which see’s those who didn’t qualify for the season ending FedEx Playoffs try to ensure their status on the PGA Tour for next season.
The aim of the game is to finish inside the top 125. Those who can achieve that can rest easy over Christmas, whilst those who can't might be looking at a slightly uncertain future. There is certainly plenty to play for.
Ahead of the tournament teeing off later this week, here is everything you need to know.
The Course
Starting back in 2019, the Bermuda Championship has always been played at the stunning Port Royal Golf Course. Set next to the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the course is without doubt one of the most picturesque on the PGA roster.
With its location being so close to the water, there is the chance that wind can play a part, but the length of the course is certainly manageable. Measuring at just 6,800 yards, almost any good drive will be greeted with a wedge for the next shot and this is where the tournament will be won or lost.
To emerge victorious, a player will need to be dialled in with their wedges and will need to get the ball rolling when on the greens. Last year’s winner Camilo Villegas posted a winning total of -24, which shows that if the wind plays no part in proceedings, not only is Port Royal extremely lucrative in terms of birdies but the winner is likely to be determined by who plays best whilst on the greens.
Who Are The Favourites
With most of the best players in the world either competing over in Dubai for the season ending DP World Tour Championships or resting up ahead of a busy 2025, the Bermuda Championship represents another chance for some of the Tour’s lesser lights to shine.
Currently leading the pre-tournament betting is Irishman Seamus Power. A former winner of this tournament back in 2022, Power seems to like the challenge that will greet him this week.
Having grown up playing his golf in Ireland, the conditions that the field will face this week will be very similar to the conditions that he grew up in and there certainly won’t be any fears for him as he tees it up.
Once ranked as high as 28 in the world and having won twice on the PGA Tour, Power has set himself lofty standards which he has largely failed to meet this year.
Although he was able to qualify for the season ending playoffs, so his PGA future for next season has been secured, he has only been able to post one top ten effort all season and he has seen his world ranking tumble all the way down to 128.
Things seem to have improved in recent weeks with Power able to finish inside the top fifteen in three of the last four weeks.
In what is a wide open tournament, Power looks to be rounding into form and with a great record at the course, he could be worth chancing.
Next in the betting comes Mackenzie Hughes and Maverick McNealy.
Like Power, Hughes is playing this week knowing that his PGA future is secured for 2025 and at 63 in the world the Canadian is one of the highest ranked players in the field.
Due to making the FedEx Playoffs, Hughes has been able to pick and choose what tournaments he wants to play in and due to his Presidents Cup exploits this will be just his third start since the conclusion of the St Jude Championship back in August.
Although there is a fear that the Canadian might have some rust to shake off, he has two top ten finishes in each of his last two starts so his form can’t be questioned. Known as one of the best putters on the PGA Tour, the setup this week could be right in his wheelhouse. If he can get the putts to drop, the entire field may need to watch out.
Just five ranking spots below Mackenzie Hughes is Maverick McNealy and like Power and Hughes he was able to qualify for the season ending playoffs so is assured of his spot on the PGA Tour next season.
Yet to win on the PGA Tour, he has posted a couple of runner up efforts and threatened when finishing third at the 2024 3M Open back in July.
Although he hasn’t had the pressure of playing for FedEx points, McNealy has kept himself busier than most this Fall and heads into this week fresh off a sixth place finish at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship. Posting a decent effort at the World Wide has proved valuable at this event as Camilo Villegas was a runner up down in Mexico before going one spot better at last week’s tournament.
Whilst he has winning credentials to prove, McNealy is in decent form and as one of the highest ranked players in the lineup, his chances have to be considered carefully.
Is There Anyone At a Price Who Could be Worth Backing?
With a lack of star power at this year’s tournament it really isn’t an exaggeration to say that anybody teeing it up has a chance of victory.
At 33/1 the odds on Nico Echavarria look huge. The Colombian will hope to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Camilo Villegas and become the second Colombian to capture this title.
A winner of the prestigious Zozo Championship when he fended off the attentions of some of the best players in the world, Echavarria found himself right in the mix again at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship, posting a sixth place finish.
Now at a career high ranking of 88, few men in the field are playing as well as the Colombian and he will be hopeful of pulling off yet another fine week here.
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
