Eight playoffs in 12 years. That’s not a trend — that’s a phenomenon.

The WM Phoenix Open has become synonymous with dramatic extra-hole finishes, and Sunday’s playoff between Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama only added to a legacy that has turned TPC Scottsdale into golf’s most reliable purveyor of overtime drama.

Since 2015, no PGA Tour event has produced more playoff finishes than the WM Phoenix Open. While other tournaments occasionally go to sudden death, the desert classic has made it almost routine, creating an expectation among fans that when they tune in on Sunday afternoon, they better clear their evening schedules.

“It’s gotten to the point where people almost expect a playoff here,” said Scottie Scheffler, who won two of those eight playoffs (2022 and 2023). “The course sets up for it, the field is always stacked, and the conditions are usually perfect. It’s a recipe for bunched leaderboards and close finishes.”

The Playoff Roll Call (2015-2026)

Let’s walk through the history of this remarkable run of extra-hole drama:

2026: Chris Gotterup def. Hideki Matsuyama

The latest chapter in the playoff saga saw Gotterup claim his second victory in three starts to begin the 2026 season. After Matsuyama’s drive found the water on the first playoff hole, Gotterup sealed the win with a birdie. The finish was the eighth playoff in 12 years, cementing the tournament’s reputation for dramatic conclusions.

2024: Sahith Theegala def. Xander Schauffele, Adam Svensson

Theegala claimed his first PGA Tour victory in a three-man playoff that lasted four holes. The Indian-American star outlasted Schauffele and Svensson with consistent play on the par-5 18th, making pars on the first two playoff holes before finally converting a birdie on the fourth trip down 18.

2023: Scottie Scheffler def. Patrick Cantlay

Scheffler successfully defended his title from the previous year with a birdie on the first playoff hole. The world No. 1 showed nerves of steel, sticking his approach to 12 feet and rolling in the putt while Cantlay made par. It was Scheffler’s fourth win in six starts during a dominant stretch.

2022: Scottie Scheffler def. Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele

In one of the most memorable playoffs in tournament history, Scheffler claimed his first WM Phoenix Open title in a three-man sudden death showdown. The then-world No. 3 made birdie on the third playoff hole to outlast Cantlay and Schauffele, launching a streak where he won four times in six starts and ascended to world No. 1.

2021: Brooks Koepka def. Xander Schauffele, Kyoung-Hoon Lee

Koepka’s return to form was announced with a victory in another three-man playoff. The four-time major champion hadn’t won on the PGA Tour in over a year but showed his championship mettle by making birdie on the first playoff hole while Schauffele and Lee made pars.

2020: Webb Simpson def. Tony Finau

Simpson’s victory over Finau in a two-man playoff was decided on the first extra hole. The 2012 U.S. Open champion made a clutch birdie while Finau’s putt to extend the playoff slid by the hole. It was Simpson’s second WM Phoenix Open title, having previously won in 2013.

2019: Rickie Fowler def. Branden Grace

Fowler’s popular victory came in a playoff against South African Branden Grace. The finish was particularly dramatic as Fowler had to make a long birdie putt on the 72nd hole just to force the playoff, then repeated the heroics in sudden death to claim the trophy.

2015: Brooks Koepka def. Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson

The run of recent playoffs began with Koepka’s breakthrough victory in a three-man showdown. The future four-time major champion was still establishing himself on tour but showed his potential by outlasting Matsuyama and Watson with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

Why So Many Playoffs?

The question that begs to be answered: What is it about TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course that produces so many playoffs?

The answer, according to players and course experts, is multifaceted.