Chris Gotterup opens PGA Tour season by winning Sony Open - ESPN

HONOLULU — Chris Gotterup opened the new PGA Tour season with three big birdies on the back nine that carried him to a 6-under 64 and a two-shot victory in the Sony Open, his third straight season with a victory as he moves closer to golf's A-list.

Gotterup was two shots behind when he took advantage of a collapse by 54-hole leader Davis Riley and then poured it on with a mixture of power and putting along the back nine of breezy Waialae Country Club to keep everyone else from catching him.

Gotterup, who finished at 16-under 264, moves to No. 17 in the world. He was at No. 195 in the world when he left the Sony Open a year ago.

«I just felt like this week I was in a good frame of mind, just happy to be here,» Gotterup said. «I felt like I was in control of my brain, which is the most important thing. I drove it great and made some putts when it mattered.»

Ryan Gerard birdied his last two holes for a 65 to finish alone in second. He flew to Mauritius at the end of last year and was runner-up to move into the top 50 and secure a spot in his first Masters. Now he's just outside the top 30.

Patrick Rodgers had another chance at his first PGA Tour victory, but he went without a birdie on the back nine until the final hole. He closed with a 65 to finish third.

Vijay Singh, the 62-year-old playing on tour this season by way of a career money exemption, posted three sub-70 rounds on the week, including a closing 69, to finish tied for 40th.

Gotterup won the Scottish Open last year by outplaying Rory McIlroy, and he won the opposite-field Myrtle Beach Classic in his rookie season. He's the sixth player since the start of 2024 to win three times on the PGA Tour, joining Scottie Scheffler (13), McIlroy (5), Xander Schauffele (3),