Hideki Matsuyama fell to Chris Gotterup in a WM Phoenix Open play-off after struggling off the tee, hitting just three fairways as Gotterup stormed home with five late birdies.
Chris Gotterup surged late with a seven-under 64, then beat Hideki Matsuyama in a play-off to win the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. His second victory in three starts this season.
Day 2 gave the Internationals confidence that their play could be strong enough to not just overcome more highly ranked players on the US side, but deliver heavy knockout blows.
With the Presidents Cup being played at Royal Montreal in Canada starting from Thursday, all eyes will be on the current Asian crop of stars if one of them, including Maruyama’s compatriot Hideki Matsuyama, can emulate a similar feat to power a much-desired International team victory.
No Asian golfer has won the FedExCup since its inception in 2007, with Sungjae Im of Korea coming the closest in 2022 after finishing tied second behind McIlroy.
Burns got hotter than Marble Bar in January when he pulled his tee shot badly on the par-4 ninth hole during the third round of the FedEx St Jude Championship at TPC Southwind.
Matsuyama was returning to the US from Paris, where he won the Olympic golf bronze medal, and he was travelling with his caddie, Shota Hayato and coach Mikihito Kuromiya. They had a one-night layover in London and went to a restaurant downtown where the robbery occurred.
Australian Golf Digest
