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Matsuyama's Magic: A Perfect Bookend
Japanese star closes stellar 2025 with playoff thriller in the Bahamas
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December 9, 2025
SUB 60 HEADLINES
Hideki Matsuyama capped his remarkable 2025 season the same way he started it—hoisting a trophy. The Japanese superstar fired a final-round 64 at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, then stuffed a 9-iron to two feet on the first playoff hole to defeat Sweden's Alex Noren at 22-under par. Matsuyama collected $1 million from the $5 million purse and his second Hero World Challenge title (also won 2016).
The turning point came on Sunday's back nine when Matsuyama holed out from 116 yards for eagle on the par-4 10th hole, erasing a three-shot deficit and catching 54-hole leader Sepp Straka. After five closing pars, Noren forced the playoff with an 18-foot birdie on 72, but Matsuyama's playoff perfection sealed it. This marks his 11th PGA Tour victory—the most by any Asian-born player—and mirrors his season-opening win at The Sentry where he set the all-time 72-hole scoring record at 35-under.
Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler settled for T4 alongside J.J. Spaun at 20-under after back-to-back bogeys on holes 11-12 derailed his three-peat bid. Straka finished solo third at 21-under.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
The golf world shifts to Naples, Florida this week for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburón Golf Club (December 12-14), where 16 mixed teams from the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour will compete for a $4 million purse split equally between the tours.
Nelly Korda teams with Denny McCarthy, while defending champions Jake Knapp and Patty Tavatanakit return to defend their title. Other marquee pairings include Jason Day with Lydia Ko (2023 champions) and Wyndham Clark with Lexi Thompson. The field boasts 137 combined career victories and 10 major champions. Format changes daily: scramble (Round 1), foursomes (Round 2), and modified four-ball (Round 3).
Forget World Rankings — these (current and former) Tour Pros are tracking College Football Playoff Seedings. Who you got?
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