Chris Gotterup captured his third PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii, prevailing in a tight finish at Waialae Country Club to secure a memorable win and a major early-season boost. Gotterup posted a final-round score that left him 17 under par, edging out fellow contender Davis Riley and capturing one of the marquee early trophies on the PGA Tour schedule.
By closing with a composed performance in Hawaii’s often unpredictable conditions, Gotterup demonstrated both mental strength and strategic savvy.
“I just felt like this week I was in a good frame of mind, just happy to be here,” Gotterup said. “I felt like I was in control of my brain, which is the most important thing. I drove it great and made some putts when it mattered.”
Chasers Make Their Moves
Sunday featured plenty of leaderboard movement, starting with Ryan Gerard, who authored one of the best rounds of the day. Gerard birdied his final two holes to post a 5-under 65, finishing alone in second place. His performance continued a strong upward trajectory that began late last year, when he flew to Mauritius and finished runner-up in an event that vaulted him into the world’s top 50 and secured a spot in his first Masters. With his Sony Open showing, Gerard now sits just outside the top 30, signaling that his rise is far from over.
Patrick Rodgers once again found himself on the doorstep of a long-awaited breakthrough. Rodgers struggled to gain traction on the back nine, going without a birdie until the final hole, but still closed with a 65 to finish third.
“Unfortunately, didn’t have a hot putter today,” Rodgers said.
It marked another near-miss for a player who continues to place himself in contention, even if his first PGA Tour victory remains elusive.
For Riley, the round unraveled quickly after a promising start. He entered the final round with a two-shot lead and extended it with birdies on two of his first five holes. Then came a decisive swing: consecutive three-putt bogeys on the sixth and seventh, followed by a wayward tee shot on the eighth that led to a double bogey. In just a few holes, Riley went from two shots ahead to three behind–a deficit he never fully recovered from.
How Gotterup Closed It Out
While others surged or stumbled, Gotterup stayed composed under mounting pressure. Early on the back nine, he unleashed several drives measuring 330-plus yards, putting consistent pressure on the field.
Ultimately, though, it was his putter that defined the win. Gotterup rolled in a 20-foot birdie on No. 12, then followed it with a clutch 25-footer on the par-4 13th, the toughest hole on the course. He all but sealed the victory on the par-3 17th, where a perfectly struck tee shot settled between the pin and the bunker, setting up one final birdie.
“It was anyone’s tournament,” Gotterup said. “Then I made a couple nice putts and I saw a couple people drop back. I know Ryan played a great tournament and he tried to make a run at the end. Couple other guys played great and I just held them off.”
The win also carried added context. The Sony Open became the latest season-opening event in PGA Tour history after The Sentry at Kapalua was canceled due to a water dispute that left the course unplayable.
With the Sony Open’s title sponsorship set to expire and discussion growing around starting the PGA Tour season later in future years, potentially around the Super Bowl beginning in 2027, Hawaii’s long-standing place on the Tour calendar feels less secure. “Hopefully I’m not the last champion,” Gotterup said.
The $1.638 million winner’s share (from a $9.1 million purse) not only provides a financial windfall for Gotterup but also valuable FedExCup points, securing his status early in the season (No. 17 in World Rankings) and granting entry into higher-profile events later in the year.
This was Gotterup’s first win since the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open, where he went 15 under.
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