Hideki Matsuyama claimed a second career Hero World Challenge victory after seeing off Alex Noren in a play-off at Albany in The Bahamas.
The 33-year-old from Japan came into the final round of the Tiger Woods-hosted tournament with work to do as he had a three-shot deficit over overnight leader Sepp Straka and a two-shot deficit over World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler who was seeking his third consecutive victory in the event.
Straka began the final round in strong fashion picking up four birdies in the front nine to solidify his place at the summit of the leaderboard. This and Scheffler’s less impressive front nine display saw the gap over the American extend to three. However, Matsuyama was making inroads. The former Masters champion sunk five birdies in a seven-hole run to help him tie for the lead alongside Straka at the 10th which saw him make a hole-out eagle. He soon found himself with the solo lead after a bogey at the 11th from Straka and he consolidated his advantage with a birdie at the 13th. He concluded his round with five consecutive pars to card a final-round 64 and end on 22 under. However, Sweden’s Noren produced a late burst of three birdies in the final four holes to join him at the top of the leaderboard and force a play-off.
The duo return to the 18th which saw Matsuyama seal the win with a birdie putt after Noren failed to replicate his birdie in regulation to become a two-time winner of the event after also claiming the title in 2016.
“Tiger told me to shoot 10 under today,” Matsuyama said, whose only previous victory this year came at the season opener at The Sentry. “I didn’t shoot 10 under, but I’m very happy to win this week.”
Despite a narrow defeat in the play-off, Noren stated he was “super proud” of his display.
“It was just amazing to get in this field. I think it’s an honour to play in a tournament having his name on there and everything he does for charity and his whole foundation. It feels extra special to show up and perform when you get an invite.”
Sepp Straka recorded a 68 to end one-shot adrift in third on 21 under while American pair Scheffler and J.J. Spaun finished in a share for fourth on 20 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the schedule is the Grant Thornton Invitational, an event co-sanctioned by the LPGA and PGA TOUR taking place between 12-14 December at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida.