Hideki Matsuyama claims the Hero World Challenge title after a thrilling playoff against Alex Norén. Sepp Straka finishes third.
The final day of the Hero World Challenge on the PGA Tour at Albany Golf Course in the Bahamas ended in dramatic fashion with a playoff between Sweden’s Alex Norén and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. Both players finished regulation play at 22-under-par, forcing a playoff. On the 19th hole, Matsuyama secured victory with a three-stroke finish, while Norén carded a four. It marks Matsuyama’s second PGA Tour title of the 2025 season, which he received from tournament host Tiger Woods.
Both Matsuyama and Norén shot impressive 64s on Sunday, climbing two spots on the leaderboard. Matsuyama delivered a bogey-free round, highlighted by five birdies on the front nine and capped with a birdie and eagle on the back. Norén’s round included nine birdies and a single bogey on the 4th hole.
Sepp Straka strong despite back nine setbacks
Austrian Sepp Straka, who entered the final round as a top contender, finished third. His 68 on Sunday couldn’t quite match his earlier performances, but his game remained solid. Straka posted four birdies on the front nine, but two birdies and two bogeys on the back nine limited his final round to 4-under-par.
Straka’s 20-under-par total still set a high bar, especially compared to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who tied for fourth with J.J. Spaun. Scheffler, who had shared the lead with Straka after round one, also shot a 68 in the final round. Despite five birdies and an eagle on the 15th, three bogeys prevented him from climbing higher on the leaderboard.
Hero World Challenge: A unique PGA Tour event
The Hero World Challenge is an exclusive invitational hosted by golf legend Tiger Woods since 2000. Featuring 20 top PGA Tour players, the event offers a $5 million purse and benefits the TGR Foundation, founded by Woods and his father Earl in 1996. The foundation supports education and career development for underprivileged youth, using golf as a tool to teach life skills. While the tournament does not award FedEx Cup points, it does count toward the Official World Golf Ranking.