Chris Gotterup secured his fourth PGA Tour victory by defeating Hideki Matsuyama in a sudden-death playoff at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. The 26-year-old American shot a final-round 64 to force the playoff after birdieing five of his last six holes. Matsuyama's collapse on the 18th was marked by two distractions, handing Gotterup the $1.728 million winner's check.
The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale concluded dramatically on February 9, 2026, with Chris Gotterup emerging as champion after a one-hole playoff against two-time winner Hideki Matsuyama. Gotterup, a 26-year-old from New Jersey who played college golf at Rutgers and Oklahoma, finished regulation at 16-under par, matching Matsuyama's score. His final round of 7-under 64 featured birdies on holes 13-15 and 17-18, setting up the tense finish.
Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion and overnight leader, struggled off the tee in the final round, hitting just two fairways and ranking last in strokes gained off the tee for the week. He entered the 18th with a one-shot lead but pulled his drive into the church pew bunkers. His second shot clipped the lip, leaving him 43 yards short. A chip left a 23-foot par putt, which he backed off after a gallery member yelled just as he started his stroke. The putt missed, forcing the playoff.
In the sudden-death format on the par-4 18th, Gotterup drove into the fairway. Matsuyama, mid-downswing, aborted his shot due to a loud noise—a security staffer accidentally dropping a chair, as reported by The Athletic. His eventual drive ricocheted off a pole into the water hazard. Gotterup then sank a 27-foot birdie putt to win, his second title of the season after the Sony Open.
"I’m just really enjoying being out here right now, and I’m having fun," Gotterup said post-win, fighting tears during his interview with Amanda Balionis. "You make me cry every time." The victory vaulted him to No. 5 in the world rankings and atop the PGA Tour money list with $3,498,000. Scottie Scheffler fired a bogey-free 64 to finish at 15-under, tying for third. Matsuyama reflected, "Was grinding all weekend. Didn’t have my best stuff, but hung in there."
Gotterup's run includes his 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic win and 2025 Scottish Open triumph over Rory McIlroy. He now qualifies for Signature Events and makes his Masters debut in April.
