Matsuyama wins second Hero World Challenge title in a play-off

Japanese Hideki Matsuyama with tournament host Tiger Woods and the 2025 Hero World Challenge trophy in Albany, the Bahamas on Sunday. Image courtesy of TGRF.

By Rahul Banerji

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama needed a play-off victory over Sweden’s Alex Noren to clinch his second Hero World Challenge title in Albany, the Bahamas, on Sunday.

It was the first time in ten years that a play-off was needed to crown the champion, according to a statement from the TGR Foundation.

Matsuyama (68-66-68-64) and Norwegians (69-66-67-64) played together all day, both going 8 under par to finish tied at 22 under 266 after 72 holes.

On the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, Matsuyama hit his 166-yard approach shot with a 9-iron to within three feet and tapped in to seal the victory.

The win was the Japanese superstar’s second after 2016. Matsuyama started the season in Hawaii with a win at The Sentry, and he closed the year with a win in Albany.

The turning point for Matsuyama came on the 10th hole when he hit an approach shot from 116 yards, turned it back and found the cup for the eagle.

Clean card

That followed a bogey-free front nine, where he went 5 under on the front nine for the third consecutive day.

“Good luck with Eagle No. 10, and also playing with Alex,” Matsuyama said of his final round.

“Alex played well, the last four, five holes, so it was a good mood to play together.

“No. 10, to win we need a birdie. Before he makes the second shot, Alex hits a really good shot and I got Alex’s great imagination and was able to hit a great shot.”

The triumph was the third of Matsuyama’s career at a tournament organized by Tiger Woods. The 2016 victory in Albany was his first, followed by the 2024 Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.

“Tiger is my idol,” Matsuyama said of the tournament host.

“Nine years ago I had my first photo with Tiger and I want to have my photo with Tiger more often. That’s why I play well at Tiger’s events.”

For Matsuyama to emerge victorious, he had to get past a crowded leaderboard.

He left Sunday in a tie for third place, three shots behind 54-hole leader Sepp Straka. Two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was two shots ahead of Matsuyama and Norwegians to start the day.

Sleek finish

Straka finished one shot behind the top two in third place, while Scheffler finished in fourth place with JJ Spaun.

This year’s US Open winner, Spaun made his Hero World Challenge debut this week after a memorable year.

Spaun grew up in Los Angeles and attended the Hero World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, making his first start at the limited-competition invitational this year. Playing in the event organized by Woods was a significant achievement for Spaun.

“He watched me the whole warm-up yesterday, like on my bag,” Spaun said of Woods.

“We were chatting. It was cool, like I loved coming to this tournament growing up in LA and just loved being involved in everything Tiger does.

“If you hang out with him a little bit, you’re in good company and you’re doing something right. It was such a fun week and an honor to be here.”

Indian-American star Akshay Bhatia, co-leading after the first day with Wyndham Clark, finished 13th at 9-under 279 with cards of 66, 68, 74 and 71.

Also read: Scheffler decimates the Hero World Challenge field to retain title

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