SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When the sun finally set over TPC Scottsdale on Sunday evening, Chris Gotterup stood on the 18th green clutching a crystal trophy, a champion's smile spread across his face, and a check for $1.728 million in his future.
The final leaderboard told the story of a tournament that lived up to its billing as one of the most competitive events on the PGA Tour calendar. Sixteen players finished within five shots of the lead, and a playoff was needed to decide the champion — the eighth such occurrence in the last 12 years at TPC Scottsdale.
Here's how it all shook out at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open:
1. Chris Gotterup - 16-under (268)
Rounds: 63-71-70-64 (won playoff)
Gotterup's victory was sealed with a birdie on the first playoff hole after Hideki Matsuyama found the water off the tee. The 26-year-old's final-round 64 was highlighted by five birdies in his last six holes, including clutch conversions at 17 and 18 to post the clubhouse lead. His massive drive in the playoff — over 360 yards — was the exclamation point on a week where power and precision combined to produce a champion.
Prize money: $1,728,000
FedExCup points: 500
2. Hideki Matsuyama - 16-under (268)
Rounds: 69-64-68-68 (lost playoff)
The two-time WM Phoenix Open champion came agonizingly close to a third title. Despite missing 11 fairways in the final round, Matsuyama's brilliant short game and scrambling ability kept him in the lead until a closing bogey at 18. His shot at the par-5 13th — a fairway wood from 240 yards that carved 20 yards left-to-right to find the green — was one of the tournament's defining moments, even in defeat.
Prize money: $1,044,000
FedExCup points: 300
T3. Scottie Scheffler - 15-under (269)
Rounds: 73-65-67-64
The world No. 1 nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback after an opening-round 73 left him seven shots behind. Scheffler's charge was highlighted by a spectacular 72-foot hole-out for birdie at the par-4 14th on Sunday. His closing 64 matched the low round of the day and extended his remarkable PGA Tour cuts-made streak to 66 consecutive events. A missed 24-foot birdie try at the last left him agonizingly close to forcing the playoff.
Prize money: $620,000
FedExCup points: 190
T3. Akshay Bhatia - 15-under (269)
Rounds: 67-69-68-67
Bhatia's steady play all week kept him in contention from start to finish. The young American never shot worse than 69 and was never more than a few shots off the lead. His final-round 67 was solid but lacked the fireworks needed to force his way into the playoff. Still, a tie for third at a Signature Event is an excellent result and continued his strong start to the 2026 season.
Prize money: $620,000
FedExCup points: 190
T3. Si Woo Kim - 15-under (269)
Rounds: 66-69-69-68
Kim's opening-round 66 put him in early contention, and he never really went away. The South Korean maintained his position near the top of the leaderboard all week with consistent ball-striking and solid putting. His Sunday 68 was good enough to move up but not enough to catch the leaders.
Prize money: $620,000
FedExCup points: 190
T3. Michael Thorbjornsen - 15-under (269)
Rounds: 67-67-70-67
Thorbjornsen was in the final group Sunday and briefly held a share of the lead at 16-under before a bogey at the closing hole dropped him back. The young American's steady play all week was impressive, and he'll take plenty of confidence from being in contention at a high-profile event.
Prize money: $620,000
FedExCup points: 190
T8. Nicolai Højgaard - 14-under (270)
Rounds: 66-68-69-67
The Danish star put together four solid rounds but couldn't quite find the low score needed on Sunday to move into the playoff picture. His opening 66 gave him an early share of the lead, but he was unable to maintain that pace over the weekend.
Prize money: $352,800
FedExCup points: 115
T8. Matt Fitzpatrick - 14-under (270)
Rounds: 68-65-71-66
Fitzpatrick's Friday 65 was excellent and moved him into contention, but a Saturday 71 took some momentum away. His closing 66 on Sunday showed what might have been if he could have avoided that third-round stumble.
Prize money: $352,800
FedExCup points: 115
T8. Ryo Hisatsune - 14-under (270)
Rounds: 65-63-72-70
Hisatsune's Friday 63 was the low round of the tournament and gave him a share of the 36-hole lead. The Japanese player couldn't maintain that level over the weekend, but his ball-striking was exceptional when he was on. A tie for eighth at a Signature Event is still a strong finish.
Prize money: $352,800
FedExCup points: 115
Several other players posted impressive performances at the WM Phoenix Open, including Justin Thomas (T13 at 13-under), Collin Morikawa (T18 at 12-under), and Patrick Cantlay (T23 at 11-under).
Phil Mickelson, the three-time WM Phoenix Open champion, finished T38 at 8-under after rounds of 69-70-69-70. The 55-year-old showed flashes of the form that has made him a fan favorite at TPC Scottsdale over the years.
Low Round: Ryo Hisatsune - 63 (Round 2)
Winning Score: -16 (268) - Chris Gotterup
Purse: $9.6 million
Winner's Share: $1.728 million (18%)
Total Field: 132 players
Cut Line: Even par (144)
Players Making the Cut: 68
Scoring Averages by Round:
Round 1: 70.12
Round 2: 69.85
Round 3: 70.41
Round 4: 68.94
The Sunday scoring average of 68.94 was the lowest of the week, reflecting the benign conditions and aggressive mindset of players trying to chase down the leaders.
Driving Distance Leaders:
1. Chris Gotterup - 318.2 yards
2. Michael Thorbjornsen - 316.8 yards
3. Scottie Scheffler - 311.5 yards
Driving Accuracy Leaders:
1. Matt Fitzpatrick - 78.6%
2. Collin Morikawa - 75.0%
3. Si Woo Kim - 73.2%
Greens in Regulation Leaders:
1. Scottie Scheffler - 76.4%
2. Hideki Matsuyama - 73.6%
3. Justin Thomas - 72.2%
Putting Average (per round):
1. Chris Gotterup - 27.25
2. Akshay Bhatia - 27.75
3. Scottie Scheffler - 28.0
The playoff commenced at 6:23 p.m. local time, with both players returning to the 18th tee. Matsuyama, who had struggled with his driver all day, missed the fairway left and found the water hazard. Gotterup's drive was pure, measuring 362 yards and leaving him just a short iron to the green.
After Matsuyama took a penalty drop, Gotterup hit his approach to 27 feet and made the birdie putt to claim the victory. The entire playoff sequence took just 11 minutes from first tee shot to final putt.
Following the WM Phoenix Open, the FedExCup standings reflect the early-season dominance of certain players:
1. Chris Gotterup - 1,000 points (2 wins)
2. Hideki Matsuyama - 800 points
3. Scottie Scheffler - 762 points
4. Patrick Cantlay - 682 points (winner, The American Express)
5. Akshay Bhatia - 590 points
Gotterup's two victories in three starts have given him a commanding lead in the early-season race. With 1,000 points already in the bank, he's well-positioned to qualify for this year's Signature Events and has essentially locked up his tour card for multiple seasons.
This marked the eighth playoff at the WM Phoenix Open in the last 12 years, continuing a remarkable trend that has become synonymous with the tournament. The 2026 edition joins playoffs from 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The winning score of 16-under was one shot better than last year's winning total of 15-under (Sahith Theegala) and two shots better than 2023's mark of 14-under (Scottie Scheffler). The scoring at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course has been consistently low in recent years, reflecting both the course setup and the high quality of the fields.
TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course played to a par-71 and measured 7,261 yards for the week. The course was set up to encourage aggressive play, with several driveable par-4s and reachable par-5s providing ample birdie opportunities.
Weather conditions were nearly perfect all week, with temperatures in the mid-70s, sunny skies, and minimal wind. The greens were receptive but firm enough to reward good approach shots, and the fairways were in excellent condition.
"The course was in fantastic shape all week," Gotterup said. "The Thunderbirds and the TPC Scottsdale crew did an amazing job. The greens were rolling true, the fairways were perfect, and the conditions allowed us to be aggressive."
The WM Phoenix Open set another attendance record this year, with over 720,000 fans attending over the four tournament days. Sunday's crowd alone was estimated at over 200,000, making it one of the largest single-day attendances in PGA Tour history.
The famous 16th hole drew over 80,000 fans throughout the day Sunday, with the stadium seating packed from dawn until well after dark. The atmosphere was electric all week, with fans creating the kind of energy that sets the WM Phoenix Open apart from other tour events.
This year's tournament raised a record $18.2 million for local Arizona charities, bringing the all-time total to over $226 million since the Thunderbirds took over management of the event. The primary beneficiary was Phoenix Children's Hospital, which received over $5 million to support pediatric care and research initiatives.
"The impact this tournament has on our community cannot be overstated," said Phoenix Children's Hospital CEO Robert Meyer. "The funds raised here support life-saving care for children across Arizona and the Southwest. We're incredibly grateful to the Thunderbirds and everyone who makes this possible."
The PGA Tour now heads to Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where many of the same players will compete on the iconic California coastline. Gotterup has committed to playing and will look to continue his hot start to the season.
For Matsuyama, the runner-up finish is encouraging as he looks to recapture the form that made him one of the world's best players. His next scheduled start is the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.
Scheffler, meanwhile, will use the third-place finish as motivation heading into a stretch of tournaments where he's traditionally played well. The world No. 1 remains the favorite at most betting houses to win the Masters in April.
The WM Phoenix Open has once again delivered everything golf fans could want: drama, excitement, exceptional play, and a playoff finish that will be remembered for years to come. As the tour moves on to its next stop, the memories created in the Arizona desert will linger, and the anticipation for next year's edition has already begun.
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