Nassau, Bahamas – Hideki Matsuyama outlasts Alex Noren in a playoff to win the 2025 Hero World Challenge. This marks Hideki’s second win at Tiger’s annual event, winning it first in 2016.
As the year winds down, Tiger Woods and his foundation are the host and primary beneficiary of this week’s annual stop in the Bahamas. While the limited 20 man field doesn’t offer any official FedEx Cup points, that doesn’t prevent any players from making the trek as many players bring their families as a December vacation.
As for the golf, there was plenty of great play despite a limited field. Early in the week, there was a massive traffic jam after several players posted rounds of 66 in round one. Cameron Young , however, had the low round of the day on Friday with an eight under 64 which vaulted him towards the top of the leaderboard. Unfortunately, Cam posted three other rounds of 70, which ultimately took him out of contention. Sepp Straka also posted an eight under 64 on Saturday but dropped back down the leaderboard with a final round 68.
On Sunday, it was down to JJ Spaun, Alex Noren, and Hideki Matsuyama. Spaun had a legitimate chance to birdie all six of his final holes but the putts didn’t drop and he finished at 20 under par which was good for third. Noren went to his final hole one shot back before draining a long birdie putt to force a playoff. Meanwhile, Matsuyama holed out on the par four 10th hole for an eagle and rode that wave all the way to the finish line. Both players finished at 22 under par for the week, forcing a playoff.
The playoff was only one hole, thanks in part to Hideki stuffing his approach on 18 to two feet. Noren had a 30 footer birdie putt which missed giving way to Hideki’s second Hero World Challenge trophy.
The final PGA Tour event of 2025 concludes in Naples for the Grant Thornton Invitational which is a co-ed team event.
Hideki Matsuyama’s What’s In The Bag:
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5°) / Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX
3 Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15°) / Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX
5 Wood: Cobra King RadSpeed Tour (17.5° playing at 19°) / Graphite Design Tour AD DI 10 TX
Irons: Srixon Z-Forged II (4-9) / True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 4 Forged Prototype (48°, 52° 10, 56° 08, 60° 08) / True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009M Center Shaft Tour Prototype
Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV
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