Chris Gotterup opened the new PGA TOUR season with a superb final-round 64 (-6), allowing him to secure a two-shot victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii. This was his third consecutive victory in as many seasons, a result that propels him ever closer to the world golf elite.
Gotterup started two shots behind the leader after 54 holes, Davis Riley, but capitalized on his opponent's slump to dominate with a combination of powerful drives and precise putting on the windy Waialae Country Club course. He finished the tournament 16 points behind, jumping to 17th in the world rankings (he was 195th exactly a year ago at the same event).
Chris Gotterup, statements
"This week, I felt in an excellent state of mind, just happy to be here. I had control of my mind, which is the most important thing. I drove very well and holed crucial putts when it really mattered".
Ryan Gerard closed out a stunning 65 (-5) with two birdies on the final two holes, finishing alone in second place. After flying to Mauritius late last year and finishing second, which propelled him into the top 50 (securing his first Masters title), he now sits just outside the top 30. Patrick Rodgers had another chance to earn his first PGA TOUR victory, but he failed to birdie the back nine until the final hole. He still finished with a 65 and tied for third. Gotterup had already triumphed at the Genesis Scottish Open last year, edging out Rory McIlroy, and in his rookie season, he won the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
Riley started the day with a two-shot lead and maintained it with a pair of birdies on the first five holes. But then he quickly collapsed: three-putted bogeys from long range on the 6th and 7th, followed by an off-line tee shot into the trees that led to a double bogey on the 8th. In just a few holes, he went from two shots ahead to three behind, unable to recover.
Gotterup resisted pressure from several pursuers thanks to a few holed putts on the back nine. He then sealed the deal with a perfect tee shot on the par-3 17th for the final birdie.
The Sony Open marked the effective start of the 2026 PGA TOUR season: The Sentry in Kapalua, Maui, the traditional opening tournament, was canceled due to water problems that left the course in precarious condition as early as September.
The Opening Drive of the 2026 PGA Tour season kicks off with a top-tier field at the Sony Open in Hawaii, taking place at the legendary Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
The 2026 PGA Tour season kicks off with a mix of top stars, players determined to prove their worth after making the jump to the Tour, and many other talents ready to shine. This is also the first week to earn FedExCup points toward the Aon Swing 5, the course that allows players to earn a spot in a Signature event early in the year.
An extraordinary course, a top-notch field, and the beauty of Hawaii make this event the ideal way to kick off the new season.
The 120-player field includes four top-10 players in the world: Russell Henley, J.J. Spaun, Robert MacIntyre, and Ben Griffin, all participants in the recent Ryder Cup. Also present is Keegan Bradley, American captain and world number 15: Bradley lost in the 2024 playoff and finished T6 last year. Reigning champion Nick Taylor returns to Hawaii aiming to become the first player to win back-to-back Sony Open titles since Jimmy Walker (2014-2015).
Jordan Spieth returns to the Sony Open for the first time since 2023. The Texan has had mixed results on the Waialae course, with a best finish of third in 2017 and three missed the cut in five appearances. Last season, he collected four top-10 finishes, earning a berth in the FedExCup Playoffs.
Other top-20 players in the world starting the season here include 2022 champion Hideki Matsuyama (who hasn't missed the cut at the Sony Open since 2013) and Collin Morikawa, returning after a T7 finish in 2021.
The new year also brings a fresh generation of stars and future protagonists, including seven of the top-10 players who earned PGA Tour cards via the DP World Tour, 19 of the top-20 players from the Korn Ferry Tour (led by No. 1 Johnny Keefer), and all five Q-School qualifiers, including AJ Ewart.
Among the sponsors' invitees is multiple Major winner and past Sony Open winner Zach Johnson.
