At the halfway stage of the Hero World Challenge, Hideki Matsuyama was tied for the lead, prompting him to reflect on a year that began with victory at The Sentry but, until that point, hadn’t led to another win.
He stopped short of saying he could end that winless run at Albany, but admitted he was looking to finish well over the final 36 holes, saying: “So we won the first in Hawaii, but didn’t play well rest of the season. So trying to play well next two days and looking forward to next season.”
By the end of play on Saturday, his prospects of adding to his 2016 win at the Tiger Woods-hosted tournament weren’t looking as rosy, with the Japanese star in a tie for fourth, three behind leader Sepp Straka.
As ominous was the sight of Scottie Scheffler in second, just one behind Straka, in his quest for his third successive title at the event.
Scottie Scheffler saw his challenge falter mid-round
(Image credit: Getty Images)
However, Matsuyama fought brilliantly on Sunday and, despite needing a playoff thanks to playing partner Alex Noren’s long birdie putt on the 18th, he wasn’t to be denied, closing out victory on the first extra hole.
The day began with Straka appearing firmly in the driving seat, with four birdies over the front nine to ease away from the pack, a position that looked even more dominant given Scheffler’s less impressive form, seeing a one-shot deficit become three at the turn.
Further on, Matsuyama was making progress, going five under on the front nine, before he drew level with Straka in spectacular fashion at the 10th to move to 21 under.
The 2021 Masters champion made a hole-out eagle from 116 yards as a good round threatened to turn into something great. Soon after, Straka’s bogey at the 11th, where he went bunker to bunker, gave Matsuyama the solo lead.
A Hideki hole-out to tie the lead! 👏He hoops it at Hero from 116 yards.📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/9BzA22qP7uDecember 7, 2025
In the meantime, Scheffler’s challenge hit the rocks with successive bogeys at the 11th and 12th, leading to him uncharacteristically letting his frustrations show.
He wasn’t quite done there, with a birdie at the 14th and an eagle at the 15th briefly putting him back into the reckoning, but that was as good as it got for the World…
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