Hideki Matsuyama won the Hero World Challenge 2025 at Albany. The Japanese golfer claimed the PGA Tour-sanctioned event title for the second time in nine years after beating Alex Noren in a short playoff. Despite the loss, the Swede was delighted to be part of the competition.Matsuyama, whose eagle on the 10th hole extended his play and gained him momentum to win the tournament on Sunday, admitted loving his battle with Noren to the end. While the champion celebrated his victory in the Bahamas, the runner-up revealed that he felt ‘super proud’ to just be part of the field. The 43-year-old dubbed it an ‘honor’ to play in a tournament named after Tiger Woods on a special invite.Furthermore, 12-time European Tour winner said he felt ‘extra special to show up and perform’ in the short field event.Alex Noren said after the Hero World Challenge playoff loss, as quoted by Tee Scripts:“I'm super proud. It was just amazing to get in this field. I got in from an invite from Tiger and had his team. I think it's an honor to play in a tournament having his name on there and everything he does for charity and his whole foundation. It feels extra special to show up and perform when you get an invite.”Hideki Matsuyama beats Alex Noren at Hero World ChallengeHideki Matsuyama ended his 2025 season with a Hero World Challenge win on Sunday. The 33-year-old closed with an 8-under 64, which Alex Noren matched later to force a playoff. Meanwhile, the Swede ended the year on a mental high despite the playoff heartbreak.The veteran golfer, who was sidelined until May because of a hamstring injury, caught Matsuyama after finishing a charge on the back nine with an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole. He recorded a 64 to join the eventual champion at 22-under 266. The Japanese golfer shot a 9-iron to two feet for birdie on the first playoff hole to emerge victorious.The 11-time PGA Tour winner, who began the year by setting a Tour record to par by winning at Kapalua, ended the year by lifting the trophy at Albany Golf Club, his second title after the win in 2016.Alex Noren added:“(Winning) especially against players like this, I’m really proud of myself. I had to work pretty hard this tournament to get all the shots you need in the short game, putting, hitting. I know maybe low scoring right now, but you've got to hit the shots out there. Me and my caddie worked very hard this week to get it all in shape.”For the unversed, Noren managed two top-10 results, finishing T7 at 3M Open and T3 at Wyndham Championship. In the meanwhile, he recorded two victories on the DP World Tour at the Betfred British Masters and BMW PGA Championship. Now, he has signed off the year with a runner-up finish in the Bahamas.