Hideki Matsuyama’s Phoenix Open bid ends in playoff loss after errant driving and crowd interruptions

A late collapse on the closing hole flipped the tournament

Hideki Matsuyama’s attempt to win the WM Phoenix Open for a third time ended in a first-hole playoff defeat at TPC Scottsdale after a final-round performance marked by inaccurate driving and two interruptions attributed to crowd noise on the 18th hole.

Matsuyama began Sunday with a one-shot lead following a third-round 68 that moved him to 13-under and set up a final-day duel on a tightly packed leaderboard. He had been attempting to add to Phoenix Open titles won in 2016 and 2017, but his control off the tee deteriorated across the final round.

Driver problems defined Matsuyama’s final round

Matsuyama repeatedly missed fairways throughout Sunday’s round, a pattern that increased pressure on his approach play and short game. He did not find a fairway until the 14th hole and hit only two fairways in 15 measured driving opportunities.

The final two holes became pivotal. On the reachable par-4 17th, his tee shot flirted with the water left of the green before he escaped with par. On the 18th in regulation, he pulled his drive into the “church pew” bunkers left of the fairway, then hit his next shot into the bunker face and failed to get up-and-down from 43 yards. That bogey allowed Chris Gotterup to draw level at 16-under, forcing a playoff.

Two interruptions on the 18th occurred as the title turned

On the 18th hole, Matsuyama twice backed off shots after audible sounds from the gallery—once during regulation and again during the playoff sequence. In regulation, he stepped away from a putt with the tournament at stake after a loud yell from the crowd, then missed the attempt that would have secured victory.

In the playoff, as Matsuyama began his downswing on the 18th tee, a crashing sound was heard from the gallery; he stopped his swing, reset, then pulled his next drive farther left. The ball caromed off the bank of the lake and went into the water. After taking a drop, he played his third shot onto the green but could not extend the contest.

Gotterup’s surge and closing execution delivered the trophy

Gotterup closed regulation with five birdies over his final six holes and posted 16-under to match Matsuyama. On the first playoff hole, Gotterup drove the ball down the fairway and made a 27-foot birdie putt to win.

Gotterup earned $1,728,000 and 500 FedExCup points for the victory, while Matsuyama earned $1,046,400 for second place. Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, Si Woo Kim, Michael Thorbjornsen and Nicolai Højgaard finished tied for third at 15-under.

• Winning score: 268 (-16) after a playoff
• Decisive sequence: Matsuyama drive into water on playoff hole at No. 18
• Key statistic: Matsuyama hit only two fairways in 15 driving opportunities on Sunday

The result placed renewed focus on the tournament’s uniquely loud environment, which again became part of the competitive narrative as the championship turned on the closing hole.