Chris Gotterup delivered a performance for the ages at the WM Phoenix Open on February 8, 2026, storming from behind to claim victory over Hideki Matsuyama in a dramatic sudden-death playoff at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. The 26-year-old American’s electric finish—five birdies in his last six holes of regulation, capped by a clutch 27-foot birdie putt in overtime—etched his name into the tournament’s storied history and marked his second PGA Tour win in just the first four events of the season.
Trailing by four shots entering the final round, Gotterup’s path to the winner’s circle was anything but straightforward. He opened the tournament with a sizzling 63 but cooled off in the middle rounds, only to rediscover his putting touch after some extra practice late Saturday. "I didn't change anything. I just was maybe more intentional with what I was doing. Nothing different other than just making sure that I was confident in what I was doing," Gotterup explained after the win. His confidence paid off, as he carded a 7-under 64 on Sunday, notching nine birdies and surging up the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time Phoenix Open champion and the 54-hole leader, struggled to find the fairway all day. The Japanese star missed 11 fairways in the final round, including a costly drive into the church pew bunkers on 18 that led to his only bogey of the back nine all week. "I wanted to avoid the playoff as much as I could, but I just hit a bad tee shot there in regulation at 18," Matsuyama admitted through an interpreter.
The drama intensified as Matsuyama and Gotterup finished tied at 16-under 268 after 72 holes. The playoff, the seventh in the last 11 years at TPC Scottsdale, was set. As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, Gotterup blasted his drive down the fairway to set the tone. Matsuyama, perhaps rattled by an unruly fan, pulled his tee shot left into the water, a rare miscue for the seasoned champion. After a drop and a safe approach to the green, Matsuyama watched as Gotterup stepped up and drained his 27-foot right-to-left birdie putt to clinch his fourth career PGA Tour title.
"Can't feel a thing," Gotterup said, recalling the moment before the clinching putt. "Just trying to make sure I didn't bomb it by the hole and get it down there and put some pressure on Hideki, and for it to find the hole like that is really awesome." The moment was equally surreal for fans, as the Stadium Course erupted in celebration for the young champion.
Gotterup’s triumph was the culmination of a week defined by resilience, precision, and a touch of luck. He admitted to catching a break on his final tee shot in regulation, which ricocheted off the grandstands and settled in a favorable spot. "I had some, let's say, maybe a little luck involved in that shot," he said with a grin. But luck alone didn’t carry him—his relentless birdie binge and cool nerves in the playoff sealed the deal.
The 2026 WM Phoenix Open once again lived up to its billing as “The People’s Open,” drawing massive crowds and delivering high drama. More than 3,500 volunteers powered the event, while title sponsor WM’s commitment to sustainability continued to make it the “Greatest – and Greenest – Show on Grass” and the world’s largest Zero-Waste sporting event. The fans, as always, brought unmatched energy and spirit, reminding everyone why this tournament holds a special place on the PGA Tour calendar.
While Gotterup celebrated, others came agonizingly close. Michael Thorbjornsen, seeking his first Tour title, made a bold move with a birdie at 13 and an eagle at 15 to temporarily seize the lead at 17 under. But the pressure of the closing stretch proved too much; bogeys at 16 and 17 dropped him into a tie for third at 15 under alongside Scottie Scheffler and others. "I don't think I failed out there. I'm just learning," Thorbjornsen reflected. "We're inching our way closer and closer. It'll happen at some point."
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player and a two-time Phoenix Open champion himself, mounted a furious charge after a rough opening round left him T-89. He rallied with three rounds in the 60s, including a Sunday 64 that featured a stretch of four birdies in five holes. A 72-foot bomb on 14 and a two-putt birdie on 17 brought him within one, but he narrowly missed a 24-foot putt on 18 that would have forced his way into the playoff. "I played pretty well—only one round where I didn't have my best stuff," Scheffler said. "If I get in the house the first day with a couple under par it's a little different story today."
This year’s edition was the 91st in tournament history, adding another chapter to a legacy of nail-biting finishes and memorable moments. Matsuyama, who previously won Phoenix Open playoffs in 2016 and 2017, was gracious in defeat. "It's disappointing, shock," he admitted. "Learn from it, and just get back up on the horse next week."
For Gotterup, the victory was further validation of a breakout season already highlighted by his win at the Sony Open in Hawaii less than a month ago. With two wins in his first four starts of 2026, the young star has quickly established himself as one of the PGA Tour’s brightest talents. "I feel confident in what I'm doing and feel like I have played well enough to feel confident to be able to be in those positions," Gotterup said. "So far, I've been able to capitalize on those."
As the sun set on another unforgettable week at TPC Scottsdale, the echoes of Gotterup’s clutch putt and the roar of the crowd lingered. The WM Phoenix Open once again proved why it’s a fan favorite, blending world-class golf with an atmosphere unlike any other. With the 92nd edition already circled on calendars, golf fans can only wonder what drama awaits next year at “The People’s Open.”