The Island Swing: Chris Gotterup Buries His Demons at the Sony Open, While the Legends Prepare to Take Over the Big Island
The PGA Tour’s “Aloha Swing” is halfway done, and if you blinked this weekend, you missed one of the best redemption arcs in recent memory.
As of Tuesday morning, the pros are packing their bags. The young guns are heading to the mainland for The American Express, but the “Old Guard” is just arriving on the Big Island. Here is the full breakdown of who survived Waialae, who choked, and what to watch starting Thursday.
The Sony Open: The “Redemption” of Chris Gotterup
Winner: Chris Gotterup (-16) The Payout: $1.49 Million (approx.) World Ranking Jump: From Top 50 to No. 17
Let’s be sharp about this: Chris Gotterup wasn’t supposed to own this weekend. A year ago, he missed the cut here and plummeted to #195 in the world. In 2024, he was a rookie who couldn’t even get into the field. On Sunday, he shot a 6-under 64 to secure his third career PGA Tour title. He didn’t just win; he powered through the field with a driving display that made Waialae look small.
The “Surprise” (The Collapse) You can’t talk about Gotterup without talking about Davis Riley. Riley started Sunday with a two-shot lead. He looked comfortable. Then, the pressure (and the trees) got him. A disastrous double-bogey on the 8th hole derailed his round, and he never recovered. In the “Man Edit” world, we call this the Sunday Scaries. Riley opened the door, and Gotterup walked right through it.
Who Else is “In”?
- Ryan Gerard (2nd, -14): Birdied the last two holes to secure solo second. He’s now squarely on the radar for a Masters invite if he keeps this up.
- Robert MacIntyre (T4, -12): The Scotsman fired the round of the day (63) on Sunday. He is looking dangerous for 2026.
- Patrick Rodgers (3rd, -13): Another “almost” week. Still hunting that elusive first win.
Up Next: The “Legends” Arrive (Jan 22-24)
While the main tour leaves, the PGA Tour Champions (the 50+ legends) take over for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
- Dates: Thursday, Jan 22 – Saturday, Jan 24.
- Location: Hualalai Golf Course, Big Island.
- The Vibe: No cut, guaranteed money, and guys who can still break 70 with their eyes closed.
The Field Favorites:
- Steven Alker: The 2024 winner and 2025 Schwab Cup runner-up. He is the man to beat.
- Ernie Els: The defending champion (2025). The “Big Easy” loves Hawaii.
- Bernhard Langer: He is ageless. He is looking for his 4th win at this specific event.
- The “Rookies”: Keep an eye on Thomas Bjørn and Angel Cabrera, who are making their debut at Hualalai this year.
The Standings (FedEx Cup Early Look)
With the Sony Open wrapped, the early 2026 FedEx Cup picture is forming:
- Chris Gotterup: The big mover of the week.
- Ryan Gerard: Solidifying his spot in the early Top 10.
- Matt Kuchar / Past Champs: Kuchar (2019 winner) is still grinding, but the youth movement (Gotterup, Gerard) is officially pushing the veterans out of the Sunday spotlight.
Power plays
The Sony Open proved that power plays, even on tight courses like Waialae. Gotterup overpowered the course and the field. Now, we shift gears to Hualalai, where it’s less about power and more about putting.
Grab a Mai Tai. The legends tee off Thursday.
