Chris Gotterup Defeats Hideki Matsuyama In Playoff To Claim WM Phoenix Open

FRONT NINE RECAP

It's been an exciting start to the WM Phoenix Open on Sunday and, somehow, Hideki Matsuyama still leads despite not finding a single fairway off the tee and only hitting four greens through nine holes.

His short game has been on-fire, though, and sitting two-under for the day and 15-under for the tournament, he is one ahead of Si Woo Kim and Michael Thorbjornsen at 14-under.

Among the chasing pack are Viktor Hovland, Akshay Bhatia and Jake Knapp, while Scottie Scheffler is 11-under and four back of the leader.

ANOTHER MISSED GREEN FOR HIDEKI

At the par 4 ninth, Matsuyama misses the fairway right with his tee shot, meaning he's missed every fairway on the front nine.

In the thick rough, he gouges out a 9-iron and, although it pitches on the green, the hard-and-firm turf means it rolls over the back and will leave him a tough up-and-down.

PAR SAVE FOR THE LEADER

After going long of the green, Matsuyama plays a delightful chip to six-feet, which he duly converts. That's just 11 putts for the leader on the front nine, which is seriously good golf!

Up ahead, Jake Knapp plays a gorgeous approach from the fairway bunker, but can't convert the six-foot birdie putt. He remains at 13-under, while his playing partner, Akshay Bhatia, misses a par chance and drops to 12-under.

YOUR LEADER GOING INTO THE BACK NINE

EXCELLENT FROM SI WOO KIM

Si Woo Kim has been great off the tee this week and, at the 10th, he finds the fairway and then plays a superb wedge shot to around seven-foot.

He will have a great look at birdie, unlike Michael Thorbjornsen, who goes long-and-right with his approach. He will be seriously short-sided with the upcoming chip, with both men 14-under and one back Matsuyama.

HE'S FOUND A FAIRWAY

He didn't like the strike off the tee, but Matsuyama has found the left-side of the fairway at the par 4 10th, his first of the day.

Up-ahead, Thorbjornsen's chip is perfect and grazes the left-side of the hole. That will be a good par save for the young American.

BIG MISS FOR SI WOO

The South Korean has a great chance to move alongside Matsuyama at the top of the leaderboard but, with his birdie attempt, it dives right and Kim can only tap-in for par.

Big miss for the 30-year-old, who has made two birdies and eight pars today.

NEAR BIRDIE FOR VIKTOR

Viktor Hovland changed his driver at the start of the week and, so far, it's working well, as is the putter.

Playing the par 3 12th, the Ryder Cup star lags up his 65-footer perfectly and taps-in for par at what is the second toughest hole of the day. He's 13-under, two back of Matsuyama.

STATS DON'T LIE

HIDEKI PARS THE 10TH

Finding the back of the green at the 10th, Matsuyama is faced with a quick putt down the hill which finishes a few feet short of the hole.

Leaving himself a three-footer, the Japanese star remains solid with his trusty putter and manages to hole-out for par to remain 15-under.

KIM AND THORBJORNSEN FACE PAR SAVES

Both Kim and Thorbjornsen find trouble off the tee at the 11th and, from the trees, Kim can only miss the green right, leaving a tough chip.

Thorbjornsen, meanwhile, does well to find the center of the green with his approach, but leaves a devilishly quick two-putt down the slope.

Back on the tee, Matsuyama follows the pair with his drive, as it carves right and into a similar spot to the chasing duo.

UNREAL FROM KIM

Wow, what a chip from Si Woo! That shot was quick, but the former Players champion plays a gorgeous chip that checks up and finishes on the lip of the hole. Somehow it doesn't drop, but that's a big par at the toughest hole on the course.

HERE COMES SCOTTIE

Where has that come from?! In typical Scheffler-fashion, he's making a charge on the back nine...

Birdieing the par 5 13th, the World No.1 drains a 72-foot birdie putt at the 14th to move to 13-under, just two back of Matsuyama. He's five-under for the day and making a charge at TPC Scottsdale...

HOW GOOD?

WHAT A BREAK FOR THOR

After two-putting the 11th, Thorbjornsen pushes his tee shot right at the par 3 12th and it seems destined for the water.

Landing on the grass, it somehow slides right and manages to finish short of the drink by a foot. Big break from the American, who faces an up-and-down for par.

PAR AT THE 11TH FOR THE LEADER

Finding the right-side of the green with his approach, after having some tree-trouble, Matsuyama rolls his birdie putt down the slope and to a few feet.

It's back-to-back two putts for the Major winner, who remains at 15-under and one ahead of Kim and Thorbjornsen.

ROUND OF THE DAY

The round of the day belongs to Zecheng Dou, who cards an eight-under 63 to currently jump 36 spots up the leaderboard.

Eight birdies and 10 pars means the 29-year-old is on-course for a very strong finish and just his second top 10 result on the PGA Tour.

BIG PAR SAVES

Thorbjornsen makes the most of the luck he received off the tee, with the American playing a decent chip and rolling in a seven-footer for par at the 11th. He remains 14-under and one back of Matsuyama, who finds the green with his tee shot at the par 3.

SCHEFFLER WITHIN ONE

Here he comes... the World No.1 is short of the green at the par 5 15th, but plays a great chip and holes his birdie attempt to get to 14-under.

He's now one back of Matsuyama and heading to the iconic 16th hole.

HIDEKI MAKES PAR AT THE 12TH

That's another dangerous hole out the way for Hideki, who plays a great tee shot at the 12th and narrowly misses his birdie attempt.

It's a par for the Japanese star, who is 15-under and one clear of Thorbjornsen, Kim and Scheffler, who has found the green at the par 3 16th, leaving 20-foot for the birdie.

LEFT AGAIN FOR KNAPP

He's just birdied the par 5 13th to jump to 14-under and into a four-way share of the second, but Knapp has gone left off the tee at the 14th and leaves a tough second into the green at the par 4.

BIRDIE AT THE 15TH

Following his birdie at the 15th, Scheffler finds the green at the 16th and two putts for par. He remains one back at 14-under as he makes his way to the drive-able 17th.

BIRDIES BEING MADE

Well, this is getting even more interesting! Chris Gotterup has already won this season and, at the par 5 15th, he finds the front edge with his second and two putts for birdie. The American is now 14-under.

On the par 5 13th, Kim makes a scrappy par after his four-foot birdie putt lips out. He remains at 14-under, while Thorbjornsen plays a gorgeous third and rolls in a three-footer for birdie.

The young American is tied for the lead with Matsuyama, who is back in the rough and about to play his second.

INCREDIBLE FROM HIDEKI

He's missed yet another fairway but, from the rough, Matsuyama plays a stunning fairway wood that carves 20-yards left-to-right and finds the green at the par 5 13th.

He's left a difficult two putt for birdie but, given his putting today, he has a great chance to re-take the lead, with the two-time WM Phoenix Open winner 15-under.

SCOTTIE FINDS THE GREEN AT 17

Pounding his driver, Scheffler finds the green at the 330 yard 17th, leaving himself 70-foot for an eagle. He's made a putt of similar distance today, with a two putt guaranteeing the birdie.

Behind the World No.1, Knapp drops a shot at the par 4 14th after missing a five-footer for par. He drops back to 13-under and is two back of Matsuyama.

BIRDIE CHANCE FOR THOR

The 14th has been playing tough today but, at the par 4, Thorbjornsen finds the green safely and leaves 25-feet for a birdie to take the lead.

At the 16th, Gotterup plays a delightful approach at the par 3, but his attempt is weak and never scares the hole. He remains at 14-under, one back of the leaders.

BIRDIE FOR HIDEKI

He's been so solid with the flatstick today and, following an incredible fairway wood approach, Matsuyama two putts from distance at the 13th to get to 16-under and retakes the lead.

EAGLE FOR NICOLAI

He's been very quiet today but, at the par 5 13th, Nicolai Hojgaard holes an eagle putt to jump to 14-under. He's not out of it, but has played a poor tee shot at the 14th, which has gone left.

Playing alongside Matsuyama, the Japanese player has struggled with the big stick today, but finds just his second fairway of the day, with it finishing on the right-side.

SCOTTIE BIRDIES

His eagle putt was poor, but Scheffler makes no mistake with the birdie attempt at the 17th, with it rolling into the middle of the cup.

Scheffler is now one back of Matsuyama, with the World No.1 sat at 15-under as he plays the last.

FAIRWAYS FOUND

Scheffler is playing the final hole, with his tee shot finishing on the right-side of the fairway. He leaves himself a perfect angle in to attack the flag.

Back at the par 5 15th, Thorbjornsen pounds his tee shot miles down the fairway, while Kim follows him, albeit further back than his playing partner. If anyone is to challenge Matsuyama, you feel it'll come from these three.

BIRDIE PUTT INCOMING FOR HIDEKI

It's not his best, but Matsuyama finds the green safely at the par 4 14th, leaving a mid-range putt for birdie.

Up ahead, Scheffer smashes his tee shot over 350 yards at the 18th and leaves a flick of a wedge in. Striking his approach, he knows he's chunked it and it comes up short, leaving a 20-footer for birdie. That to share the lead...

SUBLIME FROM THOR

Following on from a 366-yard tee shot at the par 5 15th, Thorbjornsen plays a delightful approach to eight-feet and will have that to take the lead.

SCHEFFLER SETS THE CLUBHOUSE TARGET

What could have been for Scheffler... Following his two-over-par first round, the World No.1 is 17-under for the last three days, with a seven-under closing round of 64 giving him a 15-under tournament total.

Scheffler sets the clubhouse target, but with Thorbjornsen and Matsuyama still on the course, you feel it's a few shots shy.

GOTTERUP BIRDIES THE 17TH

He's been under the radar today but, at the par 4 17th, Gotterup finds the middle of the green and then two putts for birdie.

The Sony Open in Hawaii winner is now 15-under, just one shot shy of Matsuyama, who is teeing off on the 15th.

EAGLE FOR THOR

Wow, what a time for an eagle!

Playing two stunning shots, Thorbjornsen's putt at the 15th never looks anywhere else, with it rolling end-over-end and into the center of the hole. The 24-year-old is 17-under!

HIDEKI FORCED TO LAY-UP

It's another missed fairway for Matsuyama, this time at the par 5 15th. What's more, his tee shot finishes in a horrible lie, resting next to the path and on a layer of sand.

He opts to play from the sand, with Matsuyama forced to lay-up at the par 5.

SO GOOD FROM HIDEKI

Despite being forced to lay-up with his second at the 15th, Matsuyama isn't phased and plays a delightful wedge from 77 yards that checks up perfectly.

He leaves himself around five-foot for birdie, which would tie Thorbjornsen, who has gone long of the green at the 16th. Some adrenaline was in that shot, as a pitching wedge goes through the back from 180 yards...

EAGLE PUTT

EXCELLENT FROM GOTTERUP

Blasting his drive well right, Gotterup leaves himself a wedge into the green, which he plays perfectly!

Landing on the front-edge, it releases out and finishes a few feet shy of the hole. A closing birdie would move him to 16-under.

TWO SHOT SWING

And, just like that, we have a two shot swing at the WM Phoenix Open!

Starting with Matsuyama, who holes his five-foot birdie putt at the 15th to jump to 17-under. A seriously classy birdie for the 33-year-old, who finds himself in the lead.

The reason? Well, after Thorbjornsen goes long at the 16th, he plays a poor chip that runs 15-feet by. Needing to hole the putt coming back, it misses left and it's a first dropped shot for the American.

GOTTERUP FINISHES AT 16-UNDER

It's yet another strong week for Chris Gotterup, who birdies the last to match Scheffler with a seven-under 64.

The American sets the target at 16-under-par, which is currently one back of Matsuyama, who finds the green at the par 3 16th.

BIG MISTAKE FOR THORBJORNSEN

Is that his race run? After bogeying the 16th, Thorbjornsen pulls his tee shot left at the 17th and finds the water next to the green.

He'll be able to drop on the green, but a lengthy two-putt will be needed to save par.

A BIG SWING IN PHOENIX

SI WOO NEARLY PUTTS INTO THE WATER

Faced with 120-feet for eagle at the 17th, Kim will be happy to get it anywhere the hole from there.

Taking the putter back, the strike is good, but the ball is always going left, so-much-so, it nearly drops into the water guarding the green! It stays up, just!

LONG WAIT FOR THE FINAL GROUP

Bit of a delay here on the 17th for the final group, who are waiting for Kim, Thorbjornsen and Hisatsune to finish on the green.

The hole is drive-able, hence why they're waiting, and it's good news for Matsuyama, who would have seen Thorbjornsen make bogey to drop to 15-under.

Thorbjornsen is the nearest challenger to Matsuyama on the course, with the latter 17-under.

AND BREATHE...

That could have been nasty for Matsuyama, who gets away with another huge break!

Playing the 17th, he opts for a 3-wood and, striking the ball, it's heading left and towards the water. Thankfully, for the Major winner, it lands softly and finishes a few feet shy of the drink, leaving a lengthy two putt for birdie.

SCOTTIE SPEAKS FOLLOWING HIS ROUND

CHIP SHOTS ON THE 17TH

Hojgaard is first to play at the 17th and, with his chip, it's played superbly as it runs by the flag to four-feet.

Maverick McNealy, meanwhile, comes up just shy and leaves a mid-range birdie putt.

Leader, Matsuyama, has a tough shot coming up but plays it so well despite running it 10-feet by. It couldn't have been played much better, but it should be a straightforward par for the 33-year-old.

NEAR MISS OFF THE TEE

PAR FOR THE LEADER

It's a decent attempt by Matsuyama on the 17th, but his birdie putt finishes on the left-lip.

He remains 17-under and leads by one going down the last. Thorbjornsen can only make a birdie following his second into the 18th, so a par or better for Matsuyama will hand him the title.

PENULTIMATE GROUP FINISH UP

On the 18th green, Ryo Hisatsune birdies to fire a level-par final round and finish 12-under.

Michael Thorbjornsen can only par the last, while Si Woo Kim also pars the final hole. Both men finish 15-under and in a share of third.

TEE SHOT FOR HIDEKI

Deep breath everyone! Matsuyama has hit his driver horrendously today and, with it in-hand on the 18th, he pulls it left and it's heading towards trouble.

Thankfully, it clears the water and, in another huge turn of events, it has come back from the lip of the bunker, meaning he should have a shot to the green. Another big slice of luck for Matsuyama!

WHAT WAS THAT?

He has 120-yards left to the flag and, with a wedge in-hand, Matsuyama is far enough back to get the ball out and close to the green.

What follows is a thin that hits the lip of the bunker, with the ball doing well to advance down the fairway, leaving himself around 45-yards to the hole. This isn't over...

A PUTT FOR THE WIN

Matsuyama is five-from-five in terms of up-and-downs today but, with a difficult angle into the flag, he can only find the green, some 20-feet away.

His putter has been red-hot today, but he'll need one final blow to claim the title.

SECOND SHOT

MATSUYAMA MISSES AND MAKES BOGEY

He's taking his time and, addressing the ball, Matsuyama steps off the shot after someone in the crowd shouts out.

Re-addressing the ball, he takes the putter back, but the shot is always right and not scaring the hole.

It runs a few feet by, with Matsuyama tapping in the bogey putt to finish 16-under, with the Japanese star heading to a playoff with Chris Gotterup, who finished nearly an hour ago.

TO A PLAYOFF WE GO

CHRIS GOTTERUP THE FAVORITE?

The playoff will be played down the 18th and, in regulation play, Gotterup birdied while Matsuyama bogeyed.

Matsuyama is a two-time winner of the tournament and possesses an excellent playoff record. Gotterup, however, made five birdies in his final six holes, so is the more in-form player coming into the playoff.

WHO IS YOUR MONEY ON?

TEE SHOTS

It's advantage Gotterup, who annihilates his tee shot over 360 yards! In fact, the bunker he carried was 340 yards, so it could be even further than that.

He was first to go and, following Gotterup, Matsuyama is up next. Stood over the ball, he takes the club back and, on his downswing, stops after another distraction in the crowd.

Re-addressing the tee shot, it's yet another pull from Matsuyama, who isn't so lucky as his ball hits the bank and bounces back into the water.

THE LUCK SEEMS TO HAVE RUN OUT

STUNNING SHOT FROM HIDEKI

He's in position Z but, somehow, Matsuyama pulls out a stunning approach that lands left of the flag and rolls out to 25-feet.

He has a putt for par, which he will need to convert, as Gotterup plays a conservative shot from 90 yards to the center of the dance floor.

WHY HIDEKI BACKED OFF

THEN PULLS THIS OUT

CHRIS GOTTERUP WINS THE WM PHOENIX OPEN

WHAT A WAY TO WIN

Wow... after putting his approach to 30-foot, Gotterup's putt never looks anywhere else as it rolls end-over-end and into the center of the cup for a birdie.

That's six birdies in his last seven holes, which causes a huge reaction from the American, who claims his second PGA Tour win of 2026 and second in third start.

THOUGHTS FROM YOUR CHAMPION

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