Monday, December 8th, 2025 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition

Winners, Losers, & Payouts from Tiger’s 2025 Hero World Challenge

– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: It was a perfect cap to a roller-coaster 2025 for Hideki Matsuyama. At the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this weekend, he fired a scintillating final-round 8-under 64 to join 54-hole leader Alex Noren at 22-under par — sending the tournament to sudden-death. On the first playoff hole, Matsuyama calmly landed a 9-iron to within two feet and drained the birdie putt to seize his second Hero World Challenge title.

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LIV Golf CEO Says the League’s Biggest Disappointment is Obvious

– by Bob Harig / SI

Per Bob: “Scott O’Neil needs to catch his breath when attempting to rattle off a list of accomplishments in his first year as the CEO of the LIV Golf League. He took over the job from Greg Norman in January, and LIV Golf is now speeding ahead into what will be—remarkably—its fifth season….”

B&B POV: Scott O’Neil’s Sports Illustrated interview makes us wonder what would happen if LIV (PIF) shut down and reimagined itself as a short series (less than 5) of team-oriented events. Move forward and drop the desire to be a “tour” altogether. Today, in its current form, to remain relevant, we believe LIV must gain the OWGR’s backing while also aquiring the DP World Tour to give its members a better platform to showcase their talent and keep players sharp year-round. Otherwise, LIV will continue to flounder.

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What’s in the Bag (WITB) Presented by Worldwide Golf: Hideki Matsuyama, 2025 Hero World Challenge

– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Shop WorldWide Golf and Save 10% Off with Code: BOGEYS2025

Per Thomas: Hideki Matsuyama has long been regarded as one of the purest ball strikers on the PGA TOUR — and easily one of the game’s true gentlemen. This past weekend at Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge, he reminded everyone exactly why he is both, delivering a clinic in precision with a smile on his face.

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Ben Griffin’s wedding-date blunder and the cool story of who officiated

– by Adam Schupak / Golfweek

Per Adam: “Even Ben Griffin underestimated how great a season he would have in 2025…”

B&B POV: Ben Griffin has quickly become one of our favorite players on the PGA TOUR. He’s a great interview. A fierce competitor. And somehow, he can pull off wearing Aviators, and playing a Maxfli ball, while under pressure in the game’s biggest events. We look forward to watching his further ascension in ’26.

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2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera

Be part of the roars as The Genesis Invitational, Los Angeles’ signature PGA TOUR tournament, returns to The Riviera Country Club February 19-22, 2026. Be part of the action as legacies are defined, legends rise and stars shine the brightest.

Get your tickets today and join the world’s best players at Riviera for the 2026 Genesis Invitational.

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‘That. Sucks.’: Brutal weather ruling costs PGA Tour qualifying dreams

– by James Colgan / GOLF

Per James: “There was no way to sugarcoat it. No way to minimize it. No way to obscure the truth. The PGA Tour’s ruling to cancel the final round of the second stage of PGA Tour Q-School had screwed some people over — and one of them was James Nicholas.…”

B&B POV: Young James Nicholas got shafted when his—and everyone else’s—final round at Q-school was cancelled. He was in position to move on to the final stage, but when the final round was called off due to bad weather, he missed out on his dream of competing with the best on the biggest stage next season. Tough break.

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