The margin for error shrank the moment the back nine came into view. Chris Gotterup did not flinch. On Jan. 19, 2026, Chris Gotterup closed with a final-round 64 to win the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, finishing at 16-under for his third PGA Tour victory. The win came with immediate separation. Gotterup overtook 54-hole leader Davis Riley on the front nine after Riley stumbled early, and from that point forward, the tournament moved on Gotterup’s tempo.
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This was not just a clean opener. It was proof of carryover. The composure that defined Sunday in Hawaii was forged six months earlier, in a far louder setting, against one of golf’s most punishing closers.
The through-line traces directly to the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. There, Gotterup closed out Rory McIlroy in the final pairing, navigating a pro-Rory crowd and sealing a two-shot victory with a closing 66.
That moment mattered because of context. Gotterup arrived that week ranked 158th in the world. He left having proven he could finish against elite pressure without forcing the issue. McIlroy stalled on the back nine. Gotterup stayed controlled and decisive. The takeaway was simple and lasting. Closing did not require perfection. It required command.
“When I’ve been in control of my game, when I’ve had a chance to win, I’ve done it,” Gotterup said after his Hawaii victory. “This is another example.”
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July 27, 2024, Blaine, Minnesota, USA: CHRIS GOTTERUP tees off at hole 17 during the 2024 PGA, Golf Herren 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 27th, 2024. Blaine USA – ZUMAg254 20240727_zsp_g254_029 Copyright: xStevenxGarciax
Waialae is not a course that tolerates impatience. The fairways are tight, the wind exposes misjudgment, and aggression without restraint gets punished quickly. Gotterup’s Sunday 64 reflected that understanding.
He opened with a front-nine 32 to seize control, then separated himself with precision rather than power. Birdies from 21 feet on the 12th and 26 feet on the 13th erased any remaining doubt. By the time he reached the par-5 18th, the outcome was settled. That approach contrasted sharply with the “Jersey Bomber” reputation built on distance. However, this win was surgical. The course was dissected, not overpowered.
The $1.638 million winner’s check from the $9.1 million purse was significant. Still, the larger gain was psychological. Gotterup is 26 years old, owns three PGA Tour wins across three seasons, and now carries a closing resume that includes a major champion and a collapsing 54-hole leader.
The Scottish Open provided the education. Waialae confirmed the application. When Riley’s early mistakes opened the door, Gotterup did not rush through it. He simply walked. “When you get in contention, you’re able to hit shots under the gun,” Gotterup explained. “You just believe in yourself that you can do it again.”
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Why this opener mattered in 2026
This Sony Open carried extra weight. With The Sentry cancelled due to drought conditions on Maui, Hawaii’s longtime swing became the season’s lone opening stage. The field of 120 included ten DP World Tour players and defending champion Nick Taylor, who led after 36 holes before fading.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – AUGUST 19: Chris Gotterup of the United States on the 17th green during the 3rd round of the Korn Ferry Tour – Magnit Championship on August 19, 2023 at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 19 Korn Ferry Tour – Magnit Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon23081922983
Because of that, the win functioned as more than a trophy. It set the tone and trajectory. Gotterup’s Scottish Open victory already secured his Masters debut at Augusta National. This season-opening win clarified something else. Power was no longer the question. Consistent finishing was the answer.
The foundation was built on Scottish soil. The confirmation arrived in Hawaii. And for the rest of the season, the expectation has shifted accordingly.
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