The 2026 Waste Management Phoenix Open delivered on every promise fans had for one of golf’s loudest and most unpredictable stops. Held February 5–8 at TPC Scottsdale, the tournament — known affectionately as The People’s Open — drew one of its largest TV audiences in seven years, nearly 5 million viewers tuning in for Sunday’s final pairing.
A Playoff Thriller at TPC Scottsdale
The week ended with one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory. Chris Gotterup mounted an incredible comeback, birdying five of his final six holes to force a tie with Hideki Matsuyama at 16-under par. Both players finished regulation at 268, sending the championship back to the par-5 18th for a sudden-death playoff.
Gotterup seized the moment. After Matsuyama found water off the tee, Gotterup calmly drained a 27-foot birdie putt to secure the victory — his second win of the season following a Sony Open triumph earlier in 2026.
🏆 Winner: Chris Gotterup – $1.728 million
🥈 2nd: Hideki Matsuyama – $1.046 million
🎯 T3: Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, and others – ~$440k each
Read a full leader board and money breakdown: 2026 Phoenix Open payouts & finishers
Star Performances on the Course
Chris Gotterup — Surge of the Season
Gotterup’s late-week charge was backed by strong tee-to-green numbers and a final-round 64 that left the golf world talking. This victory vaults him into the top five of the Official World Golf Rankings and places him atop the FedEx Cup standings early in 2026.
Scottie Scheffler — Near Miss
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler fired a bogey-free Sunday 64 to soar up the leader board but ultimately finished just one shot shy of the playoff. His performance reinforced why he remains one of golf’s most consistent forces.
Brooks Koepka & Rookie Paydays
Brooks Koepka returned to the Tour but missed the cut — yet his presence enabled rookie A.J. Ewart to compete and earn his biggest check to date.
Chaos & Crowd Moments Off the Course
The Phoenix Open is unlike any other PGA Tour event, and 2026 was no exception:
🎥 Controversial Spectator Behaviour: A well-known livestreamed was reportedly removed and barred from future PGA Tour events after instigating crowd disruptions during play.
🍻 Fan Energy & Debate: Social feeds lit up with debate over crowd conduct — from enthusiastic cheers to criticism about interference and intoxication hampering play — reflecting the dual nature of Phoenix’s raucous crowd culture.
📈 Record Viewership: Beyond the golf, the event showed strong national interest, with broadcast figures jumping significantly from last year.
TPC Scottsdale: A Challenging Stage
The Stadium Course is known for its intense closing stretch — water hazards on 15, 17 and 18 all played their part in the leader board swings. Over the last 20 editions of the tournament, Phoenix ranks among the Tour’s top courses for water hazards, feeding both high scores and dramatic moments.
What Made This Year Special
✔ A thrilling playoff finish that crowned an emerging star
✔ Strong showings from elite players and rising talents
✔ Off-course stories sparking conversation around fan behaviour
✔ Record-breaking viewer interest bringing the event to new audiences