Chris Gotterup Wins WM Open, Signals Breakthrough Moment

Chris Gotterup made history this past weekend. With his theatrical comeback on Sunday, he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open. That makes two wins for the rising star in just the first four weeks of the season. That is a feat that has not been accomplished since 2003 when Ernie Els managed back to back victories to open the year.

After jumping out to a nice early lead on Thursday (his first ever 18-hole lead on Tour), he sputtered a bit. It seemed at the close of Saturday’s action that he would have just an outside chance of pulling back into the top 5 and virtually no chance to chase down the leader, Hideki Matsuyama.

Sunday came and Gotterup remained in cruise control through the front nine. It would go down as a good, but not great weekend. Then he put his foot down on the gas.

Birdies on five of the last six holes were needed to keep pace with Matsuyama, but at least Gotterup was willing to go down swinging. After 72 holes had been played, they still needed a winner. Gotterup ripped a perfect drive deep down the right side of the fairway to put the pressure on. A poor tee shot sent errantly into the leftside hazard by Matsuyama would then kick the door wide open for Gotterup’s chance at a fourth career victory. A victory he sealed with a birdie.

This hot start may propel Gotterup to the forefront of the Tour this season. Scottie Scheffler held the crown last year, but that reign may come to a close quickly. Gotterup has been steadily rising in the World Golf Rankings since last summer and currently sits at #5.

This year, Gotterup will play in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. It will be his first time. The last time a newbie went in and won that tournament? 1979. Is there more history to be made for Gotterup this season? It is certainly in the cards.