Story byChris Gotterup smiles as he holds up the winner's trophy after defeating Hideki Matsuyama in a one hole playoff (AP)Jack RathbornMon, February 9, 2026 at 2:26 AM UTC·3 min readChris Gotterup might be the hottest player in golf right now after surging to a second win in three weeks on the PGA Tour after a playoff triumph at the Phoenix Open. The American shot 7-under 64 and then made birdie on the first hole of a playoff, fending off Hideki Matsuyama, with the Japanese pulling his tee shot into the water. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatsuyama had a one-shot lead entering the final day, and history suggested he would get the job done, having converted each of his five previous 54-hole leads into wins. But Gotterup, who impressed last year with a win at the Scottish Open, added another fine win at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, replicating compatriot Patrick Reed’s two wins in three over on the DP World Tour. The two-time Phoenix Open champion nearly hit his tee shot in the water left of the reachable par-4 17th and pulled his drive on 18 left into the church pew bunkers — his 11th missed fairway of the day. Matsuyama hit his second shot into the face of the bunker and couldn't get up-and-down from 43 yards to send the tournament to a playoff. He shot 68 to match Gotterup at 16-under 268. Gotterup, winner of the season-opening Sony Open, closed with five birdies on his final six holes and stayed loose by hitting balls off the first tee before uncorking a massive drive on 18 in the playoff. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatsuyama yanked his tee shot even further left than he did in regulation, caroming it off the bank of the lake into the water.