Former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama defeated Alex Noren in a sudden-death playoff to win the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. The Japanese golfer, who also triumphed in 2016, sealed the victory with a birdie on the first extra hole. This win bookends Matsuyama's season, starting with a victory in Hawaii and ending in the Bahamas.
At the Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas, Hideki Matsuyama fired an 8-under 64 in the final round of the Hero World Challenge. He holed out from the 10th fairway for eagle and stuffed a 9-iron to 2 feet on the 18th to force a playoff.
Alex Noren matched the 64, sinking an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th in regulation to extend the match. But in the first sudden-death playoff hole, Noren's 20-foot birdie attempt missed left, allowing Matsuyama to roll in a 2- to 3-foot birdie after sticking his approach close.
The unofficial 20-man event, hosted by Tiger Woods, marked Matsuyama's second win, following his 2016 victory. Scottie Scheffler, seeking a third straight title, shot 68 to tie for fourth after a bogey on the par-5 11th caused by mud on his ball. Sepp Straka also bogeyed the 11th and finished third with a 68.
The triumph caps Matsuyama's season, which began with a win in Hawaii.