Chris Gotterup claimed his third PGA Tour title by winning the 2026 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, finishing at 16-under par with a final-round 64. The 26-year-old American pulled away from the field, leading in strokes gained off the tee and showcasing precise putting. Robert MacIntyre fired the day's low 63 to finish tied for fourth, but lamented a snapped putter from earlier in the tournament that cost him contention.
The Sony Open marked the PGA Tour's 2026 season opener at the classic Seth Raynor-designed Waialae Country Club, a par-70 layout measuring around 7,000 yards that demanded shotmaking over sheer distance amid varying winds. Chris Gotterup, entering the final round with momentum, carded a 6-under 64 to finish at 16-under 264, two strokes ahead of Ryan Gerard, who birdied the last two holes for a 65 to claim second place alone. Patrick Rodgers closed with a 65 to take third, one shot further back, extending his streak of nine top-three finishes since 2015 without a win.
Gotterup's victory was powered by his driving prowess, including a 342-yard bomb on the 503-yard par-4 13th that set up a birdie and a three-shot lead. He holed a 20-footer on No. 12 and a 25-footer on the 13th, then sealed it with a precise tee shot on the par-3 17th for another birdie. Sponsored by Bridgestone for irons and balls, Gotterup wielded a Ping G440 LST driver with a 7.5-degree loft and Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 70 TX shaft, leading the field in strokes gained off the tee and gaining over 1.3 shots in the final round.
"I just felt like this week I was in a good frame of mind, just happy to be here," Gotterup said. "I felt like I was in control of my brain, which is the most important thing. I drove it great and made some putts when it mattered."
Robert MacIntyre, starting seven shots back, mounted a charge with five birdies in a front-nine 30 and further gains at 15 and 18 for a bogey-free 63, the lowest round of the day, to end at 12-under and tie for fourth. However, he attributed his shortfall to snapping his putter in anger after missing a three-footer on Friday's 17th, leading to a bogey on 18. "My attitude cost me this golf tournament," MacIntyre said. "It's a big, big reminder for me that attitude has got to be right for 72 holes, not just 36."
The win elevates Gotterup to No. 17 in the world rankings, securing spots in signature events and the Presidents Cup conversation. MacIntyre rises to No. 6. The tournament, potentially the Tour's last in Hawaii due to scheduling shifts and expiring sponsorship, highlighted the course's timeless challenge, where players shaped shots around doglegs and palms.
