Phoenix Open: Gotterup Dominates, Scheffler Is on the Brink!
Chris Gotterup is off to another blazing start, aiming to secure his second US PGA Tour title of 2026 at the Phoenix Open. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler is struggling, already ten shots off the lead. The action on the green was truly intense!
Gotterup, who claimed victory last month at the Sony Open in Hawaii, conjured up a sensational round of 63 (eight under par) with a scorching hot putter. An eagle and six birdies? He's definitely on a roll!
Starting from the 10th tee at TPC Scottsdale, Gotterup kicked into high gear for his round right at the 13th hole with an impressive 27-foot eagle putt from off the green. What a start! Gotterup then followed up with birdies on holes 14, 15, and 16, before sinking a 24-foot birdie on the 18th. He then gained another shot on the third hole and capped off his performance on the seventh with a final 27-foot birdie putt. Truly impressive!
"I feel like I'm doing things well and making the right decisions, and I think that's the most important thing," said Gotterup. "I wouldn't say I had my best driving game today. But I putted incredibly well and was just in the right place at the right time." Impressive humility!
The 26-year-old from Maryland played alongside Scheffler, by the way. The world number one was visibly frustrated by a series of uncharacteristic errors, which resulted in a round of 73 (two over par). This puts his incredible streak of 65 consecutive cuts made seriously in jeopardy.
Scheffler's opening birdie was abruptly interrupted by a bogey on the 11th hole, where his tee shot landed directly in the water. Another birdie on the 13th couldn't lift his spirits for long, as a bogey followed on the 14th – again, he pulled his tee shot. Ouch! Scheffler, a two-time Phoenix winner who just last month claimed his first win of 2026 in La Quinta, seemed to find more stability after birdies on the 15th and 17th.
But then came the shock: a flubbed chip on the 18th hole actually rolled back to his feet – instead of a birdie! In frustration, Scheffler struck his thighs with his club. His nerves were clearly on edge. A three-putt bogey on the first hole was followed by a double bogey on the second! He simply couldn't escape from a bad lie in the fairway bunker. Although he gained a shot back on the third hole, on the eighth, after another poor chip, the ball again rolled back to his feet – a bogey was the result. A disaster! After his first over-par round since June, it was clear what needed to be done: Scheffler headed straight to the driving range. He clearly has work to do!
In the end, Gotterup held a two-shot lead over Engl
