For the seventh time in 11 years there was a playoff at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. For the fourth time in his career, and second time already in 2026, Chris Gotterup of Easton, Maryland found himself the champion.
On Sunday, Gotterup had a 72 hole score of -16, and beat Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in a one hole playoff. Gotterup won the playoff with a birdie on the 73rd hole, as the competitors played the 18th hole again.
During the tournament, Gotterup had a first round score of eight-under-par 63, a second round score of even, a third round score of one-under-par 70, and a fourth round score of seven-under-par 64. It is interesting that Gotterup won the tournament with two spectacular rounds of golf, and two average rounds of golf.
Normally, the 13th hole can be an unlucky hole for golfers. That was not the case for Gotterup this week as he eagled the 13th hole in the first round on Thursday, and again on Friday. In the first round, Gotterup had a tee shot of 329 yards, an approach shot of 245 yards, and a putt of 27 feet and one inch. In the second round on Friday, Gotterup had a tee shot of 359 yards, an approach shot of 195 yards and a putt of 14 feet and one inch.
Gotterup’s previous win in 2026 came at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He is the first two-time champion on the PGA Tour in 2026. Gotterup is now ranked fifth in the Official World Golf Rankings. His previous wins came in Myrtle Beach in 2024 and the Scottish Open in 2025.
