Scheffler Misses Third Straight Win... Matsuyama Claims Playoff Victory
by Roh Woolae
Published 08 Dec.2025 07:07(KST)
Updated 08 Dec.2025 07:20(KST)
Hero World Challenge Final Round: Scheffler Ties for Fourth at 4-Under
Matsuyama Triumphs Over Noren with 8-Under to Claim Victory
Straka Finishes Third, Spaun Ties for Fourth, Rose Takes Sixth
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA) failed to achieve a third consecutive victory.
On December 7 (local time), at the Albany Golf Course (par 72, 7,449 yards) in New Providence, Bahamas, during the fourth round of the PGA Tour's special event, the Hero World Challenge (total prize money: $5 million), Scheffler carded one eagle, five birdies, and three bogeys. He shot a 4-under 68 for the day, finishing tied for fourth place at 20-under 268. He was unable to secure a third straight win, having won in both 2023 and the previous year.
Schaeffler is disappointed after missing a par putt on the 4th hole of the 4th round at the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=AFP Yonhap News Photo
원본보기 아이콘The tournament, founded in 2000 by "golf emperor" Tiger Woods (USA), is not an official PGA Tour event, but it does offer world ranking points. Twenty top-ranked players competed in a 72-hole stroke play format over four days.
Scheffler started the final round in second place, one shot behind the leader, but managed to lower his score by only one stroke, recording four birdies and three bogeys over the first 13 holes. After a birdie on the 14th hole (par 4), he made an eagle on the 15th hole (par 5) with a two-on, one-putt, but ran out of holes to catch up. He led the field with a maximum drive of 356 yards and shared the top spot in fairway accuracy at 92.31%. However, his average putts per green in regulation was 1.85 (15th), which was relatively high.
Hideki Matsuyama (right) is taking a commemorative photo with host Tiger Woods immediately after winning the Hero World Challenge. Bahamas=AP Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘The tournament victory went to Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), who fired an 8-under 64 with one eagle and six birdies. After tying Alex Noren (Sweden) at 22-under 266, Matsuyama clinched the title with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the 18th (par 4). Matsuyama, who has 11 career PGA Tour wins including the 2021 Masters, also won The Sentry, the season opener, this past January. He is currently ranked 20th in the world.
Overnight leader Sepp Straka (Austria) shot four under for the day but slipped to third place at 21-under 267. J.J. Spaun (USA) finished tied for fourth, while Justin Rose (England) ended the tournament in sixth place at 18-under 270. Host Tiger Woods did not compete due to the aftereffects of back surgery, and no Korean players participated in the event.
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