Chris Gotterup added another defining chapter to his rapidly rising career Sunday, defeating Hideki Matsuyama with a birdie on the first playoff hole to capture the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. The victory marked Gotterup’s fourth career PGA Tour win and his second of the 2026 season, following his earlier triumph at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
It was also the 22nd playoff in tournament history, fitting for an event known as much for drama as for deafening crowds. For Gotterup, the moment represented more than just another trophy; it was validation of consistency, resilience, and a growing ability to close on golf’s biggest stages.
A Furious Finish Sets Up Playoff Drama
The final round of the WM Phoenix Open delivered everything fans could ask for, and then some. It was Gotterup who ultimately stole the spotlight, producing a scintillating late surge to secure his second PGA Tour title of 2026 in just three starts. Birdieing five of his final six holes in regulation, Gotterup stormed into the clubhouse at 16-under, setting a target that appeared destined to come up one shot short as Matsuyama stood at 17-under with one hole to play.
Matsuyama had begun the day with a one-shot lead and, despite a shaky front nine – missing every fairway and hitting just four greens in regulation—managed to remain two-under for the round and ahead of the chasing pack. Pressure mounted on the back nine as Michael Thorbjornsen briefly grabbed the lead with an eagle on the 14th before late bogeys dropped him back to 15-under. Moments later, Scottie Scheffler posted a closing 64 to also reach 15-under, only to be quickly recalled by Gotterup’s electric finish, which established the 16-under clubhouse mark.
Still in control, Matsuyama birdied the par-5 15th and parred 16 and 17, leaving him needing only a par on the closing hole to claim a third Phoenix title. Instead, a pulled drive found a bunker, his second shot caught the lip, and he couldn’t salvage par – his closing bogey dropping him into a tie with Gotterup and forcing sudden death.
The playoff proved decisive in a hurry. Gotterup launched a massive 360-yard tee shot down the 18th fairway, immediately putting pressure on Matsuyama, who was forced to step away from his ball due to crowd disruption – something that had also occurred in regulation. Re-addressing the shot, Matsuyama again pulled his drive, this time watching helplessly as it ricocheted off a steel pole and splashed into the water. Though the Japanese star mounted a remarkable recovery, Gotterup seized his opportunity, found the center of the green, and calmly drained a dead-straight 30-foot birdie putt to claim the title.
“I’m just having fun playing right now. It’s just awesome, I’ve got so many people supporting me from home right now,” Gotterup said.
“I didn’t even think about winning this tournament this morning. I struggled on Friday and Saturday, but I got off to a good start today and once I birdied the 15th I knew I was in the mix.”
From Missed Cuts to Center Stage
What made the win even sweeter was Gotterup’s history at this event. In his previous two appearances, he had struggled to find his footing in Scottsdale, missing the cut both times.
This year was different.
Instead of fighting the course, and the famously raucous crowds – Gotterup embraced both. He navigated the Stadium Course with confidence, handled the energy on iconic holes like the par-3 16th, and turned past disappointment into fuel. The result was not just a victory, but a statement: he belongs among the game’s elite.
“The shot on 17 was great and the one on 18 was a bit of luck,” Gotterup said. “I spoke to someone before the playoff hole and they said ‘leave it all out there,’ and I did just that.”
What Was in Gotterup’s Bag in Phoenix
Gotterup leaned on a carefully balanced mix of power, precision, and feel, relying on trusted metalwoods, classic muscleback irons, and a hot putter to close out his fourth PGA Tour victory.
His driver provided the foundation for his aggressive game plan, helping him launch tee shots well past 350 yards during the playoff, while his iron play down the stretch set up the birdie chances that defined his Sunday surge. On the greens, his mallet-style putter proved clutch, highlighted by the dead-straight 30-footer that ended the playoff.
Gotterup also put the new Bridgestone TOUR B X balls in play for the week in Arizona.
Here’s the full breakdown of the equipment Gotterup used to capture the 2026 WM Phoenix Open:
Driver
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Ping G440 LST (9°)
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Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 70 TX
Fairway Woods
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TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5°)
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Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 80 TX
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TaylorMade Qi35 (18°)
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Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 83 TX
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Irons
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Bridgestone Tour B 220 MB (4–9)
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Shafts: KBS C-Taper 130 X
Wedges
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TaylorMade MG5 (46°)
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Shaft: KBS C-Taper 130X
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TaylorMade MG5 (52°, 56°, 60°)
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Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx X100
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Putter
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TaylorMade Spider X Tour
Ball
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Bridgestone Tour B X Mindset
Grips
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Golf Pride Z Grip (full swing clubs)
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SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 2.0 (putter)
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