Golf Jan 25, 2026

Hero World Challenge: Scottie Scheffler misses out on three-peat as Hideki Matsuyama claims play-off victory over Alex Noren

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Hero World Challenge: Scottie Scheffler misses out on three-peat as Hideki Matsuyama claims play-off victory over Alex Noren

Hideki Matsuyama edged out Alex Noren in a play-off to win the Tiger Woods-hosted Hero World Challenge, as Scottie Scheffler missed out on completing a three-peat in the Bahamas.

Matsuyama and Noren went into the final round three strokes behind Sepp Straka but charged into contention with final-round 64s at Albany GC, leaving both players on 22 under and taking the contest to a first play-off since 2013.

The players returned to the par-four 18th for the play-off, where Noren was unable to match his final-hole birdie in regulation as Matsuyama fired his approach to three feet and rolled in a winning birdie.

Straka ended a shot back in third, while Scheffler - who had finished no worse than second in each of his last four appearances at the event - ended two back in tied-fourth alongside US Open champion JJ Spaun.

Justin Rose posted a final-round 66 to move into sixth spot ahead of Corey Conners, with Harris English, Wyndham Clark and Cameron Young completing the top 10 at the event benefiting Woods' foundation.

Matsuyama - playing alongside Noren in the penultimate group - made his move by posting five birdies in a seven-hole stretch from the third and holing out from the fairway to eagle the par-four tenth.

The former Masters champion added another birdie at the 13th before closing his round with five straight pars, with Noren moving alongside him at the top of the leaderboard after three birdies in his last four holes.

"I'm super proud," Noren said. "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."

Matsuyama's victory is his second at the Hero World Challenge and the first since 2016, with the win his first worldwide success since making a winning start to the 2025 PGA Tour season at The Sentry.

Straka appeared in control of the tournament after starting with the 54-hole lead and then posting four birdies in a front-nine 32, only to mix two birdies with as many bogeys during a disappointing back nine.

Spaun made a late move with three birdies in a four-hole stretch from the 13th, lifting him to 20 under, while Scheffler slipped out of contention after posting back-to-back bogeys on his back nine.

"I played better than my score, for sure," Scheffler said. "Didn't hole as many putts today. I felt like I hit some good ones that didn't fall and I got a couple poor breaks on the back nine. I did a lot of good stuff."

The Grant Thornton Invitational sees the stars of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour join forces for a unique mixed-team event. Watch live on Friday from 6pm on Your Site Golf. .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith all committed to LIV Golf after Brooks Koepka returned to PGA Tour

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith all committed to LIV Golf after Brooks Koepka returned to PGA Tour

Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith have committed to LIV Golf after Brooks Koepka announced his departure after four seasons with the Saudi-bac...

Dubai Invitational: Reaction, scores, highlights after Shane Lowry's final-hole blunder and Nacho Elvira's dramatic win

Dubai Invitational: Reaction, scores, highlights after Shane Lowry's final-hole blunder and Nacho Elvira's dramatic win

Cifuentes sacked by Leicester after less than seven monthsFulham make 28m bid for PSV strikerLatest from Your Site News' Dharmesh Sheth:Fulham have ma...

Tiger Woods at 50: As 15-time major champion celebrates milestone birthday, when will he return to competitive golf?

Tiger Woods at 50: As 15-time major champion celebrates milestone birthday, when will he return to competitive golf?

Tiger Woods is celebrating his 50th birthday – but when will golf fans be toasting the 15-time major champion’s return to competitive action?Woods was...

Scottie Scheffler and Blades Brown one shot off lead after three rounds of PGA Tour's American Express

Scottie Scheffler and Blades Brown one shot off lead after three rounds of PGA Tour's American Express

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and 18-year-old Blades Brown are one shot off leader Si Woo Kim on a congested leaderboard after three rounds of The Amer...

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Reaction, scores, highlights as Patrick Reed claimed victory and Rory McIlroy struggled

Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Reaction, scores, highlights as Patrick Reed claimed victory and Rory McIlroy struggled

Millwall in talks for Patterson loanLatest from Your Site News' Keith Downie and Mark McAdam:Millwall are in talks with Sunderland to sign goalkeeper...

Hero Dubai Desert Classic LIVE! Updates, scores, highlights as Patrick Reed chases victory and Rory McIlroy headlines

Hero Dubai Desert Classic LIVE! Updates, scores, highlights as Patrick Reed chases victory and Rory McIlroy headlines

Leicester considering Cifuentes' futureLatest from Your Site News' Rob Dorsett:Leicester City are considering the future of manager Marti Ci...