Gotterup Birdies Five of Final Six Holes to Stun Matsuyama in Playoff at WM Phoenix Open

Chris Gotterup produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 PGA Tour season, birdieing five of his final six holes to force a playoff and then defeating Hideki Matsuyama to win the WM Phoenix Open on Sunday at TPC Scottsdale. The 26-year-old American closed with a 7-under 64 to finish at 16-under 268, then sealed victory with another birdie on the first playoff hole to claim his second tour win in just three weeks. Gotterup appeared to be out of contention after bogeying the par-3 12th hole, leaving him at 11-under and five shots off the lead with six holes remaining. What followed was a birdie barrage that electrified the massive Phoenix crowd. He birdied the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes to surge into the clubhouse lead at 16-under. The hot streak included a 326-yard drive to 67 feet on the 17th hole, setting up one of nine birdies he made during his final round. Matsuyama, seeking his third WM Phoenix Open title, appeared in control for much of Sunday but couldn't hold off Gotterup's charge. The Japanese star fired six consecutive birdies earlier in the tournament and held the lead heading to the closing holes. He finished regulation with a total of 16-under 268 to match Gotterup, sending the tournament to sudden death on the 18th hole for the seventh playoff in 11 years at this event. The playoff proved anticlimactic as the hole unfolded eerily similar to regulation. Gotterup once again blasted his drive into wedge range, while Matsuyama's tee shot missed left and found the water hazard. From 90 yards out, Gotterup flipped a lob wedge to 15 feet and calmly poured the birdie putt into the center of the cup to seal the victory. Matsuyama's ball hitting a pole holding a gallery rope and bouncing backward into the water effectively ended his championship hopes. With the victory, Gotterup earned $1.728 million from the $9.6 million purse and moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings. More significantly, he became the first player to win multiple events during the 2026 PGA Tour season, having captured The Sentry title just three weeks earlier in Hawaii. His recent form has been remarkable, playing nine rounds in 2026 with scores of 63, 69, 68, 64, 68, 70, 70, 69, and 63—all under par. Scottie Scheffler, one of the pre-tournament favorites, made the cut but cooled off after a hot start and finished well behind the leaders. The tournament showcased the unpredictable nature of golf at TPC Scottsdale's famed Stadium Course, where massive crowds and a raucous atmosphere create one of the tour's most unique venues. Gotterup's ability to handle the pressure down the stretch and in the playoff demonstrates the mental toughness that could define a breakthrough season for the young American.