Chris Gotterup outduelled Hideki Matsuyama in a playoff to claim the WM Phoenix Open title.
Gotterup shot a closing 64, and after Matsuyama bogeyed the final hole of regulation, the American clinched victory with a birdie on the first extra hole.
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The 26-year-old now has four PGA Tour wins and is starting to build a reputation as one of golf’s rising talents.
Matsuyama remains on 11 PGA Tour victories but had his chances. He was distracted by a fan shouting just as he was about to putt for the win.
In the playoff, another interruption came when a security guard dropped a chair while Matsuyama was midway through his swing on the 18th tee.
Chris Gotterup shares thoughts on WM Phoenix Open crowd after Hideki Matsuyama incident
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Hideki Matsuyama, known for his calm demeanour on the PGA Tour, did not reference the disruption after the round. However, it did not go unnoticed.
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So, what did Gotterup make of everything that happened?
After his win, he was asked about how he felt about the fan behaviour throughout the week.
“You know, it’s a good thing that there’s so many people,” the 26-year-old replied.
“You hear it but it’s all – you have so much going through your brain, it’s almost like white noise. For it to be – obviously I think on the tee box a chair fell. Of course that happens in the playoff.
“But it’s just a crazy atmosphere, and you just have to embrace it this week, and I felt like I did a good job of that. Let alone trying to win a tournament and then also having people line the fairways, it just makes it that much more difficult.
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“But I felt like I was focused on what I was doing. We talked everything through, me and Brady, and yeah, and then for the putt to go in is awesome.”
The WM Phoenix Open is known for its lively environment every year.
This time though, things went too far and now there are calls for the PGA Tour to step in and make changes.
Calls for action grow as fan behaviour at PGA Tour events comes under scrutiny
The topic of fan behaviour has been a lingering issue in the professional game for some time. It is a conversation that only seems to be picking up momentum, especially after recent events.
Should there be restrictions on alcohol sales at PGA Tour events? Or perhaps even lifetime bans for those who cross the line?
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It is clear something needs to change soon. Golf has always been a sport built on respect and tradition, but that image is starting to slip due to how some fans are acting.
Gotterup came out on top against Matsuyama, but there is a fair question lingering in the aftermath…
If Matsuyama had not been interrupted during his swing on the first playoff hole, would the result have been different?
We will never know for sure, but even having to ask highlights just how serious this issue has become for the PGA Tour.
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