The final round of last year’s Genesis Scottish Open had the makings of another Rory McIlroy triumph across the pond, playing in the final pair while seeking his second win in the event.
Standing in his way was 25-year-old American, Chris Gotterup, an unproven talent with one PGA Tour win to his credit.
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The Rutgers University-turned-University of Oklahoma product had already made noise at the event, tying the course record at The Renaissance Club (61) in the second round that vaulted him into contention. Now, playing with the World No. 2 at the time on foreign soil, he sought a signature moment to put the golf world on notice.
“Golf has a new up-and-comer” sounded from the broadcast as Gotterup’s tournament-clinching putt fell, granting him a spot in The Open Championship, where he would go on for a T3 finish in his debut.
One year later, he has accumulated an additional three wins, while rising to sixth in the FedExCup standings and seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking. Prior to this win, he stood No. 158 in the OWGR.
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It’s safe to say that the up-and-comer has arrived.
What’s most impressive about Gotterup’s last twelve months is the way he has won, doing so with consistency and an ability to close. His 2026 season has been a clear representation of that, beginning with a six-under 64 in the final round of the Sony Open that opened his year in style. Two tournaments later, he outdueled Hideki Matsuyama in a playoff to win the WM Phoenix Open, with birdies in five of the last six holes to force extra time.
He began the final round of this past weekend’s John Deere Classic five shots off the lead, needing more of his late-tournament heroics to contend. He did just that, firing off a 62 to claim his fifth PGA Tour victory in his 85th start.
PGA: John Deere Classic – Final Round
Chris Gotterup wins John Deere Classic with a 62 and late help from Ben Kohles
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Gotterup next week defends his title in the Scottish Open, where he began his remarkable run to reach the top 10 in the world.
He is the first golfer in over 40 years to have three wins in the same PGA Tour season featuring final rounds of 64 or better, developing into one of the game’s next great closers.
“This whole year has been really good if you look at it in a big picture,” Gotterup said. “Obviously, got off to a great start and was grinding it out in the middle of the year, but that’s not unexpected. Hopefully this kickstarts some other great stuff.”
His win at TPC Deere Run this past weekend carried a little more significance. Gotterup received a sponsor exemption to compete in this event in 2022, turning in a T4 finish that would help serve as a launching pad to PGA Tour status.
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“This tournament has a special place in my heart and now definitely a much bigger, special place.”
Not only that, but he shared the victory with his younger brother, Patrick, on the bag, who was his caddy during the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour season and throughout his amateur career.
GOLF: JUL 05 PGA John Deere Classic
That full-circle career moment has him carrying a ton of momentum to the event that stamped his name on Tour.
Gotterup’s rise is reminiscent of someone like Justin Thomas. Both are Haskins and Jack Nicklaus Award winners, granted to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate golfer, and won their first PGA Tour event two years after turning pro.
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Thomas broke out in 2016-17 en route to five wins, a major championship, and earning PGA Tour Player of the Year honors. Though Gotterup has yet to shine on the signature event and major championship stage, he has, for lack of a better term, “gotterdone” so far in 2026 and should be in the conversation amongst the PGA Tour’s best players this season.
It remains to be seen how Gotterup can build on his success, but his New Jersey swagger, power off the tee, and proven ability to perform under pressure hints at a lot more to come.
As he looks to become the first player to successfully defend at the Genesis Scottish Open, one thing is for certain: The headlines won’t be reading “unexpectedly” if he does so.
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