Former Scarlet Knight Chris Gotterup Claims 2026 Sony Open
Jan 18 | Men's Golf
Former Rutgers Scarlet Knight men's golfer Chris Gotterup claimed victory Sunday night at the Sony Open in Hawaii, opening the 2026 PGA TOUR season with a win at Waialae Country Club.
Last season's Genesis Scottish Open champion, Gotterup got off to a strong start in Hawaii with an opening round of 7-under. He followed with rounds of 3-under on both Friday and Saturday before closing with a 6-under performance on Sunday to secure the win.
Gotterup overtook Davis Riley and pulled away from the field, finishing the week at 16-under. His final-round surge sealed a two-shot victory.
"It's been crazy, and it's been a lot of fun," Gotterup said on the GOLF Channel broadcast. "I've got a great team. Everyone at home—everyone believes in me."
He handled the par-70 layout and breezy conditions with composure, relying on consistent ball-striking and timely putting to separate himself from the field.
In the final round, Gotterup avoided major mistakes and capitalized on key scoring opportunities on the back nine, pulling ahead as conditions toughened and pressure mounted. His ability to manage firm greens and shifting winds proved decisive down the stretch. He sank an incredible putt on the 17th hole to head to the final hole with a comfortable lead.
Gotterup said winning the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open over a competitor like Rory McIlroy helped prepare him for this moment.
"It helped a lot. I feel like when I am in control of my game, when I've had a chance to win, I've done it," Gotterup said. "This is another example. When you get in contention and are able to hit shots under the gun, you believe in yourself to do it again. Sometimes there's blind luck involved—and I'll take as much as I can get—but I played pretty well this week."
The win marks another significant milestone in Gotterup's PGA TOUR career and continues a strong run of success for the former Scarlet Knight. He now owns three TOUR victories in his first three years on the circuit, adding a season-opening win in Hawaii to his growing list of professional accomplishments.
Starting off the season with a win 🏆
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 19, 2026
Chris Gotterup claims his third TOUR victory @SonyOpenHawaii! pic.twitter.com/QUbeFI2RbL
