Chris Gotterup’s meteoric rise to the top of professional golf wasn’t supposed to happen this quickly. The 26-year-old from Holmdel, New Jersey, entered the 2026 season with modest expectations — maybe a top-10 finish or two, perhaps some momentum to build on for the rest of the year.

Instead, he’s rewriting the script entirely.

With his playoff victory Sunday at the WM Phoenix Open, Gotterup has now won twice in his first three starts of the 2026 PGA Tour season, a feat that places him in rarified air alongside legends of the game. His hot start isn’t just impressive — it’s historic, and it’s turning heads from Scottsdale to Augusta.

“I don’t think I could have drawn it up any better,” Gotterup said, still clutching the championship trophy after Sunday’s thrilling playoff victory over Hideki Matsuyama. “Two wins in three starts? That’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

The Sony Open: Where It All Began

Gotterup’s remarkable 2026 campaign began in Hawaii at the season-opening Sony Open in Honolulu. The tournament, traditionally one of the lower-profile events on the PGA Tour schedule, was the perfect stage for Gotterup to announce his arrival.

He entered the final round trailing by three shots but quickly erased the deficit with aggressive play on Waialae Country Club’s front nine. By the time he made the turn, Gotterup was tied for the lead and playing with a confidence that belied his limited tour experience.

The back nine was where Gotterup truly shined. He birdied the 12th to take the lead outright, then added another at the par-3 13th to extend his advantage to two shots. When a brief stumble at the 14th dropped him back into a tie, Gotterup responded in the only way he knows how: with more birdies.

He converted a 15-footer at the par-4 16th to regain the lead, then sealed the victory with a clutch birdie at the closing hole — a 533-yard par-5 that rewards aggressive play but punishes mistakes.

“I felt comfortable all week in Hawaii,” Gotterup said after that victory. “I was hitting it well, making putts when I needed to, and staying patient. That’s a recipe for success on any course.”

The final-round 63 was the best score of the day and gave Gotterup his first career PGA Tour victory. More importantly, it gave him the belief that he could compete with — and beat — the best players in the world.

“Winning my first tour event was incredible,” Gotterup said. “But I knew I couldn’t rest on my laurels. I wanted to keep the momentum going.”

The American Express: A Brief Respite

After the euphoria of winning in Hawaii, Gotterup headed to the California desert for The American Express, a tournament played over three courses in the Palm Springs area. The unique format — three days of play across three different layouts, followed by a final round at the Stadium Course at PGA West — presents challenges that can trip up even the most experienced players.

For Gotterup, The American Express was a chance to reset and recalibrate. He played solid golf all week, posting four rounds in the 60s and finishing in a tie for 28th at 17-under par, eight shots behind winner Patrick Cantlay.

While the finish wasn’t spectacular, it was exactly what Gotterup needed — a week of competitive golf without the pressure of contending for a title, a chance to work on his game and prepare for the challenges ahead.

“I played well enough at The American Express, just didn’t make enough putts,” Gotterup said. “Sometimes you need a week like that to remember what you need to work on. I went to the practice green after the final round and spent two hours working on my speed control. I knew that would be important going forward.”

Little did he know just how important those practice sessions would prove to be at TPC Scottsdale.

The Phoenix Open: Redemption and Revelation

Arriving at TPC Scottsdale for the WM Phoenix Open, Gotterup was riding high on confidence from his Sony Open victory but also eager to prove that the win wasn’t a fluke. The tournament, with its raucous crowds and party atmosphere, would provide the perfect test.

Gotterup’s week started with a bang — an opening-round 63 that tied for the low score of the day and put him firmly in contention. The round featured eight birdies and just one bogey, and it showcased the aggressive, fearless style of play that has become Gotterup’s calling card.

“I wasn’t thinking about defending anything or protecting a lead,” Gotterup said after Thursday’s opening round. “I was just trying to make as many birdies as possible and see where that put me.”

Friday’s 71 was a step backward, but Gotterup remained patient, knowing that the Stadium Course would present plenty of birdie opportunities over the weekend. Saturday’s 70 kept him in the mix, and he entered Sunday’s final round five shots behind leader Hideki Matsuyama.

It was a deficit that would have seemed insurmountable just a few months ago. But this was a different Chris Gotterup — a player who had won in Hawaii with a closing 63 and knew he could go low when it mattered most.

Sunday’s Defining Stretch: Five Birdies in Six Holes