Chris Gotterup holds the Phoenix Open trophy

American golfer Gotterup claimed a dramatic victory at TPC Scottsdale, overcoming a four-shot deficit against the overnight leader Hideki Matsuyama. Gotterup surged into contention with a stellar seven-under-par 64, fueled by five birdies across his final six holes to finish at sixteen-under.

Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, forced a play-off despite bogeying the final hole of his sixty-eight. However, disaster struck on the first extra hole when Matsuyama found the water, allowing Gotterup to secure the win with a birdie.

Reflecting on his triumph, Gotterup admitted surprise given his mid-tournament struggles, noting he simply tried staying loose against an in-form Matsuyama. This marks Gotterup’s fourth PGA Tour title and second this season, following his Sony Open victory. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler finished one shot back after a closing sixty-four, lamenting a poor opening round of seventy-three. England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick ended his solid week in ninth place on thirteen-under-par.