Gotterup triumphs over Matsuyama in playoff to secure Phoenix Open victory.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Chris Gotterup recorded a 7-under 64 and secured victory at the Phoenix Open with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff on Sunday, following Hideki Matsuyama’s tee shot that ended up in the water.
Entering the final round with a one-shot advantage, Matsuyama had previously converted all five of his 54-hole leads into victories, but struggled to finish at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.
The two-time Phoenix Open champion narrowly avoided hitting his tee shot into the water left of the reachable par-4 17th and pulled his drive on 18 into the church pew bunkers, marking his 11th missed fairway of the day. Matsuyama’s second shot landed in the face of the bunker, and he was unable to get up-and-down from 43 yards, preventing the tournament from going to a playoff. He finished with a 68, tying Gotterup at 16-under 268.
Gotterup, who won the season-opening Sony Open, concluded with five birdies in his last six holes and maintained his composure by hitting balls off the first tee before unleashing a powerful drive on 18 during the playoff.
Matsuyama pulled his tee shot even further left than in regulation, ricocheting it off the bank of the lake into the water. After taking a drop, he hit his third shot onto the green, but Gotterup sealed his victory by sinking his birdie putt for his fourth career PGA Tour win, and his second in three starts this season.
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, who faced the possibility of missing the cut after a shaky first round, made a strong comeback as he climbed toward the top of the leaderboard.
The two-time Phoenix Open champion recorded four birdies in five holes on the back nine to close the gap to one shot, but was unable to capitalize on a powerful drive on 18. He finished with a 64, ending in a five-way tie for third at 15 under.
Matsuyama claimed consecutive Phoenix Open titles in 2016 and 2017, coming from behind both times.
The Japanese star began the final round with a one-shot lead over four players, with several others still in contention, including Scheffler.
The world No. 1 started the tournament, known for its lively atmosphere, with a 73, then shot 65 in the second round, extending the PGA Tour’s longest active cuts streak to 66.
Scheffler was seven shots behind after the second round, reduced it to five after the third, and began to ascend the leaderboard on Sunday.
Scheffler recorded three birdies on the front nine and a streak of three consecutive birdies on the back, highlighted by a 72-foot putt from the fringe on 14, bringing him within one of the lead. A two-putt birdie from 63 feet on 17 brought Scheffler back within one, but he missed a 24-foot birdie attempt on 18, causing his charge to fall short.
