Chris Gotterup wins the Sony Open in Hawaii against a strong field, claiming his third PGA Tour title.
Strong Final Round Secures Third PGA Tour Title
Chris Gotterup started 2026 with a victory on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii. With a final round of -6 (64) and a two-stroke lead, the American secured his third Tour win. Gotterup initially benefited from a collapse by the 54-hole leader Davis Riley but managed to make crucial birdies in the closing holes at Waialae Country Club.
Gotterup entered the final day two strokes behind in pursuit of Riley. While many players posted low rounds, Gotterup applied early pressure with strong drives and solid putts, carding four birdies on the front nine.
\”I just felt I was in good shape this week and I’m happy to be here,\” Gotterup said after his round. \”I felt I had control over my thoughts, which is the most important. I drove well and made some important putts.\”
Riley’s Collapse Opens the Door
Davis Riley initially defended his two-shot lead confidently with two birdies in the first five holes. However, his round unraveled quickly as three long putts missed on holes six and seven led to bogeys, followed by a wild tee shot on hole eight resulting in a double bogey. What had been a comfortable lead turned into a deficit within a few holes, and Riley finished tied for sixth at -11.
This shift worked in Gotterup’s favor. Long putts holed out on holes 12 and 13 added more birdies, allowing him to pull away. He sealed the victory on the par-3 17th when his tee shot perfectly landed between the flag and bunker, setting up a birdie to finish two strokes clear at -16 overall.
Chasers Fall Short
Behind the winner, Ryan Gerard showed a strong finish, birdying the last two holes to post a 65 and claim second place. Patrick Rodgers also had chances for his first PGA Tour title; after four birdies on the front nine, he only managed a birdie on 18 on the back nine, finishing third with a 65.
Defending champion Nick Taylor could not keep pace on the final day, carding an even-par