Rutgers Alum Chris Gotterup Captures Another PGA Tour Win at WM Phoenix Open
Feb 08 | Men's Golf
Former Scarlet Knight Chris Gotterup has done it again.
The Rutgers men's golf alum outlasted Hideki Matsuyama to win the WM Phoenix Open on Sunday, earning his second PGA Tour victory of the young season and the fourth Tour win of his career. Gotterup defeated Matsuyama in a playoff, closing regulation in stunning fashion by birdieing five of his final six holes before sealing the victory with another birdie on the playoff hole. The win marked his second victory in three events.
"I knew I needed to make birdie on the 18th hole," Gotterup said. "I didn't think this would happen. I'm just having such a good time playing right now. I know everyone at home is watching, and this is just so awesome. It's a lot of hard work. There are just so many people that believe in me, and to be able to share it with them is so much fun."
Entering the final day of the Phoenix Open trailing leader Matsuyama by four strokes, the Rutgers alum stormed back to force a playoff hole, where he won the competition with a long birdie putt minutes before the NFL's championship game kicked off in Santa Clara.
Gotterup's weekend ended every bit as emphatically as it began. He opened the WM Phoenix Open by seizing a two-shot lead at TPC Scottsdale, firing a bogey-free 8-under 63 on Thursday while paired with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and former top-ranked Jordan Spieth.
The momentum stalled over the next two rounds, as Gotterup posted a combined 1-under-par across Friday and Saturday to slide down the leaderboard. He entered Sunday at 9-under, four shots back of a steady Hideki Matsuyama, who had pieced together three consecutive strong rounds.
Needing a charge—and a break—Gotterup delivered both.
He closed in dramatic fashion, birdieing five of his final six holes to apply maximum pressure. Matsuyama faltered late, missing a putt on 18 that would have secured the win and instead forced a playoff. On the extra hole, Gotterup buried a 27-foot birdie while Matsuyama found the water, sealing a thrilling victory.
Since 2024, Gotterup's four PGA Tour wins are the most by any golfer in the nation other than Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. He also became the first multi-time winner on the PGA Tour this season, continuing a remarkable run of form on golf's biggest stage. Gotterup is now currently ranked as the No. 5 golfer in the world following the milestone win.
"There's just so many people that believe in me and to be able to share it with them...it's just so much fun."
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 8, 2026
An emotional Chris Gotterup caught up with @Amanda_Balionis after his win at the @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/0u1MUBn6WK
He gets it done AGAIN!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2026
Chris Gotterup earns his second win of 2026 @WMPhoenixOpen in just three starts. pic.twitter.com/drvavWaxwQ
Third-year PGA TOUR pro @ChrisGotterup is now a FOUR-TIME PGA TOUR WINNER!!!! pic.twitter.com/GBnI6JAwSh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2026
