sevendayweekender – Chris Gotterup delivered the performance of his career to win the 2025 Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club. The 25-year-old American, ranked 158th in the world, edged out Rory McIlroy and England’s Marco Penge with a composed final-round 66, finishing 15 under par.
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Starting Sunday tied with McIlroy, Gotterup responded to an early bogey with birdies on holes three, seven, and eight. He seized the lead after the turn, birdieing two of the next three holes to pull two shots clear. Despite a bogey at the 15th, Gotterup immediately recovered with a 10-foot birdie at the 16th. McIlroy, the crowd favorite, could not find his rhythm on the back nine. He failed to record a birdie in his final 10 holes and settled for second alongside Penge. Gotterup, meanwhile, stayed solid to the finish, claiming his second PGA Tour title and a £1.2 million prize.
“I just tried to hang in there tight and keep it together,” Gotterup said, fighting back tears after his win. “It’s just amazing. It’s all hitting me now.” His gritty play earned him not only the trophy but also a debut spot in next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The win marks Gotterup’s first top-10 finish of the season, highlighting a dramatic turnaround in form. Until this event, he had missed the cut in eight of his 12 starts and had no notable finishes on the PGA Tour this year.
Rising Star Gotterup Makes His Mark on Global Stage
Before this week, Gotterup was relatively unknown outside the United States. That changed dramatically after his victory in Scotland. He first gained attention with a second-round 61, tying the course record and securing the halfway lead. Many expected him to fade under pressure, but he remained resilient.
Born in Maryland and raised in New Jersey, Gotterup was a standout athlete long before his pro golf career. He won the Jack Nicklaus Award in 2022, recognizing him as the top college golfer in the U.S. After turning professional, he started on the Korn Ferry Tour before earning his PGA Tour card in 2024. His debut PGA Tour win came earlier this year at the Myrtle Beach Classic. However, his form since then had been inconsistent, making this Scottish Open triumph all the more significant.
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Gotterup’s powerful swing owes much to his background in lacrosse, which he played for over a decade. That foundation helped him develop the clubhead speed that now sets him apart on tour. While his win at the Renaissance Club may have surprised many, it signals a promising future. He will now head to Royal Portrush with confidence and momentum. For golf fans, Chris Gotterup is no longer a name to overlook.
