A shocking and controversial end to the PGA playoff thriller left fans in disbelief as an unruly crowd moment rocked the former Masters champion, Hideki Matsuyama.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale witnessed a dramatic collapse for Matsuyama, who was on the receiving end of some unsportsmanlike behavior from the crowd. Chris Gotterup emerged victorious, claiming his fourth PGA Tour title and second of the year, but the focus remained on the unfortunate incident that unfolded.
Matsuyama's tee shot at the 18th hole, which ultimately led to his defeat, was a result of a distraction from the gallery. It appeared to be a heckler disrupting his swing, but reports suggest a security person dropping a chair caused the commotion. The Japanese superstar, known for his precision, was forced to back away and eventually hit an errant drive, sending his ball into the water.
But here's where it gets controversial... This wasn't the first time Matsuyama had to deal with crowd antics during the tournament. Earlier, when he had a putt for the win at the 72nd hole, a spectator yelled out as he began his stroke, causing him to back away. The crowd's reaction was swift, with a chorus of boos directed at the offender.
The issue of calling out during players' backswings has been a persistent problem at this event, with the PGA Tour taking action earlier in the tournament by handing a life ban to a streamer who paid patrons to yell out during players' backswings. It's a fine line between passionate support and disruptive behavior, and this incident highlights the challenges of managing crowd behavior in such high-stakes situations.
Despite the controversy, the spectators around the 18th green cheered for all the right reasons as Gotterup sank a monster birdie to clinch the win. The 26-year-old started the day four shots behind Matsuyama but charged with a remarkable seven-under par round of 64. He birdied five of his last six holes, creating an anxious wait for Matsuyama as he wrapped up his round.
When asked about his recent success, Gotterup admitted he couldn't pinpoint the reason for his purple patch. "God, I don't know. I'm just having such a good time playing right now," he said. The win was a special moment, with his girlfriend in attendance, and he expressed his joy at sharing the victory with his loved ones and fans back home.
Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, found himself in a tie with Gotterup at -16 after a bogey at the 72nd hole. Ranked last in the field off the tee in the final round, his waywardness eventually caught up with him at the last hole. The Japanese superstar's drive headed left towards the water, but he had the distance to carry the hazard, only to find himself in a bunker.
The drama continued as Matsuyama, a two-time champion, had a good lie in the sand but thinned his shot, falling short of the green. His ability to recover had been his strength throughout the day, but this time, the distraction proved costly, as his putt for the win slid to the right of the cup.
"I wanted to avoid the playoff as much as I could, but I just hit a bad tee shot there in regulation at 18, and Chris made a good putt in the playoff. So, hats off to him," Matsuyama said, accepting the defeat gracefully.
The top five also included Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, Si Woo Kim, and Michael Thorbjornsen. Thorbjornsen, in his second full season on the PGA Tour, had a chance to claim his maiden Tour win but bogeyed the 16th and 17th holes, dropping back to -15. He took the defeat as a learning experience, expressing confidence that he'll inch closer to victory in the future.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scheffler threatened to pull off an extraordinary comeback. Already a two-time champion at TPC Scottsdale, he chased a third title with a bogey-free seven-under par final round of 64. His effort was matched by Gotterup, but it was China's Zecheng Dou who took the low round of the day honors with a remarkable 63.
Scheffler's round was exhilarating, with four birdies in his last six holes, reaching a total of -15. One of his highlights was a more than 20-meter birdie putt from off the green on the par-4 14th, which received a standing ovation from the packed gallery. However, the four-time major champion had too much ground to make up.
In the end, it was his first-round 73, including a duffed chip that went viral, that prevented Scheffler from claiming his second trophy of the year. He reflected on the tournament, acknowledging that he played well but needed a better start on the first day to be in contention.
"Overall, I'm proud of the way I fought the last three days to give myself a chance," Scheffler said.
As for the Australians, Min Woo Lee fell out of contention with a final round 73, finishing at -7 overall, while Cam Davis had a nightmare final round, closing with an 80 and finishing 73rd, last among those who made the cut. Davis' recent form has been a cause for concern, with no top-30 finishes since last year's PGA Championship.
The PGA playoff thriller at TPC Scottsdale left fans with a mix of emotions, from the excitement of Gotterup's win to the disappointment of Matsuyama's collapse and the controversy surrounding crowd behavior. It's a reminder of the fine line between passion and disruption in the world of professional golf.
