Matsuyama Wins Hero World Challenge in Playoff

Hideki Matsuyama captured the Hero World Challenge on Sunday, defeating Alex Noren in a sudden-death playoff at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas to claim his second title in the unofficial 20-player event hosted by Tiger Woods.

Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, closed with an 8-under-par 64 to reach 22 under for the tournament, matching Noren's score after the Swede birdied the 18th with an 18-foot putt. On the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, Matsuyama stuck a 9-iron approach to 2 feet and converted the birdie, while Noren's 20-foot attempt slid left of the hole. "It was perfect distance for me," Matsuyama said. "Earlier at 18, I missed a little right, so I was going right at it and was able to hit a great shot."

The victory bookended a 2025 season that began with Matsuyama setting a PGA Tour scoring record at 35 under to win The Sentry in January. However, he managed just one top-10 finish in between on the U.S. circuit and tied for 16th as his best major result. Despite elite ball-striking, Matsuyama ranked outside the top 100 in strokes gained putting and 139th off the tee, averaging just over 300 yards with a driving accuracy of 124th. His bogey-free final round...