Chris Gotterup Turns Breakthrough Victory Into British Open Contention at Portrush
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Chris Gotterup is proving that momentum is everything in golf. Just a week after capturing his first career title at the Scottish Open, the 25-year-old American is now making a serious run at the 2025 British Open, turning what he described as a “house money” opportunity into a potentially career-defining moment.
“I wasn’t even planning on being here a week ago,” Gotterup said after firing a strong 68 on Saturday to move to 8-under-par, just six shots off the lead held by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. “Anything this week is a bonus, so I’m just giving it my all and seeing where it takes me.”
The New Jersey native, who played college golf at Rutgers and later Oklahoma, has been on a remarkable trajectory since earning his way into the British Open field through his Scottish Open victory. The win not only gave him global attention, but also unlocked his self-belief — something he’s clearly riding into this week’s major at Royal Portrush.
“I feel like I’m understanding my game better — how I operate, how I manage pressure, and what kind of golf works at tough courses like these,” Gotterup explained. “I’ve been more in control of my misses, my mindset, and that’s made a difference.”
While he remains grounded, Gotterup’s recent form has sparked speculation about a potential Ryder Cup debut — a topic he’s not entertaining just yet.
“I’m focused on what I can control right now,” he said. “Scottie’s obviously been the best in the world, and tomorrow I know I’ll need my best game. But it’s not just about him — there are a lot of elite players chasing this thing.”
With poise, growing confidence, and two weeks of high-level golf under his belt, Chris Gotterup has gone from a late addition to the field to a serious contender — and possibly one of golf’s newest rising stars.
