Matsuyama beats Noren in playoff: Hero World Challenge drama
The Hero World Challenge offered a highly dramatic finale. Hideki Matsuyama beats Alex Noren on the first extra hole and wins again in the Bahamas.
The Hero World Challenge, hosted by golf legends Tiger Woods, was crowned on Sunday at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. In a high-class final, Japanese Hideki Matsuyama (33) secured victory in the jump-off against Sweden Alex Noren and thus ended his season as he had started it: with a dominant victory. Matsuyama, who already won in Nassau in 2016, took home the winning prize money of one million US dollars after he had freed himself from a difficult starting position with a brilliant final round of 64 strokes.
Here you can find the complete Hero World Challenge leaderboard.
The dramatic final day of the Hero World Challenge
The final day started with Austrian Sepp Straka in the lead position, who had a narrow advantage of one shot over two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler. But the pursuers quickly showed their aggressiveness. Matsuyama, who started the round three strokes behind, set off a real fireworks display. The decisive moment of his catch-up came on the par-4 10th hole: The Japanese punched his approach from 116 yards to the eagle and drew even with Straka.
While Straka (68 strokes, third place) was no longer able to decisively counter as a result, the actual duel between Matsuyama and Alex Noren developed. Noren, who also played a 64 round, showed great nerve strength in the final phase. He recorded three birdies on his last four holes and forced the jump-off by turning an 18-foot putt on the 18th green to a tie at 22 under par.
For Scottie Scheffler, who was aiming for his third win in a row at this tournament, hopes came to an abrupt end on the back nine. Scheffler had to accept two bogeys on holes 11 and 12 — triggered, among other things, by a failed attempt to play the ball from under a bush — which severely dampened his title ambitions. He finished the tournament in a divided fourth place.
The decision: A shot from the picture book
In the playoff, Matsuyama and Noren returned to the 18th track. There, Matsuyama, who had already shown outstanding shots on the regular round, demonstrated his entire class. He hit his 9-iron from 166 yards to the flag at a sensational two feet. Noren's attempt to make a birdie as well missed the hole, giving Matsuyama a short putt to win.
Matsuyama was extremely satisfied afterwards, even though he had not fully met a personal challenge from host Tiger Woods. Matsuyama talking to Woods: “Tiger told me I should play 10 under par today. I didn't play 10 under but I'm very happy to have won this week. ”
PGA Tour: Hero World Challenge Prize Distribution
| Platzierung | Golfer | Preisgeld |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hideki Matsuyama | $1,000,000 |
| 2 | Alex Noren | $450,000 |
| 3 | Sepp Straka | $300,000 |
| T4 | J.J. Spaun | $237,500 |
| T4 | Scottie Scheffler | $237,500 |
| 6 | Justin Rose | $220,000 |
| 7 | Corey Conners | $215,000 |
| T8 | Harris English | $207,500 |
| T8 | Wyndham Clark | $207,500 |
| 10 | Cameron Young | $200,000 |
| 11 | Sam Burns | $195,000 |
| 12 | Robert MacIntyre | $190,000 |
| 13 | Keegan Bradley | $185,000 |
| 14 | Akshay Bhatia | $180,000 |
| 15 | Billy Horschel | $175,000 |
| 16 | Brian Harman | $170,000 |
| 17 | Andrew Novak | $165,000 |
| 18 | Aaron Rai | $160,000 |
| T19 | Jordan Spieth | $152,500 |
| T19 | Chris Gotterup | $152,500 |
