Matsuyama Loses WM Phoenix Open After Crowd Disruptions

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama was distracted by noises from the gallery on the 18th hole, leading to his defeat in a playoff.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Hideki Matsuyama had to back off two shots on the 18th hole due to audible noises from the crowd before ultimately losing his bid for a third WM Phoenix Open title to a walk-off birdie by Chris Gotterup. Matsuyama's driving struggles throughout the day also contributed to his defeat, as he hit only two fairways in 15 swings. Despite the distractions and his wayward driving, Matsuyama remained faithful to his driver, which nearly cost him the tournament.

Why it matters

The WM Phoenix Open is known for its raucous atmosphere, with fans lining the fairways and often creating a party-like environment. However, the tournament has faced criticism in recent years for instances of unruly fan behavior, including public drunkenness, fights, and even a spectator falling from the grandstands. This latest incident involving Matsuyama highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the tournament's lively atmosphere with maintaining the integrity of the competition.

The details

Matsuyama had to back off two shots on the 18th hole due to audible noises from the crowd, once in regulation and again in a playoff. The first incident came as he stood over a 25-foot par save that would've won him the tournament outright, prompting him to step away and miss the putt. Moments later, on the tee box, Matsuyama had started his downswing when a crash was heard in the gallery, causing him to stop his swing and ultimately hit his drive into the lake. Despite these distractions, Matsuyama was able to force a playoff, but ultimately lost to Gotterup's walk-off birdie.

  • On Sunday, February 9, 2026, Matsuyama faced crowd distractions on the 18th hole in regulation and in a playoff.
  • Matsuyama had been leading the tournament by one shot the previous evening.

The players

Hideki Matsuyama

A professional golfer from Japan who has won the WM Phoenix Open twice before and was the defending champion.

Chris Gotterup

The golfer who defeated Matsuyama with a walk-off birdie in the playoff.

Zach Johnson

A veteran PGA Tour player who has criticized the unruly fan behavior at the WM Phoenix Open in recent years.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it's disappointing, shock.”

— Hideki Matsuyama (golfchannel.com)

“You know, it's a good thing that there's so many people. You hear it, but you have so much going through your brain, it's almost like white noise. 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.”

— Chris Gotterup (golfchannel.com)

“This tournament has been inappropriate and crossed the line since I've been on tour and this is my 21st year. I don't know what the line is, but you have people falling out of the rafters, you have fights in the stands. … It's to the point where now, how do you reel it in? Because it's taken on a life of its own.”

— Zach Johnson (golfchannel.com)

What’s next

The PGA Tour and WM Phoenix Open officials will likely review the incident and consider further measures to maintain order and safety at the tournament, while still preserving the lively atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the event.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the raucous atmosphere at the WM Phoenix Open with the need to protect the integrity of the competition. While the tournament's party-like environment is part of its appeal, the PGA Tour and organizers must find ways to curb disruptive fan behavior that can directly impact the outcome of the event.