Chris Gotterup Triumphs at Scottish Open

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Chris Gotterup was scheduled to fly to California for an opposite-field tournament in Lake Tahoe. However, he decided to shift his focus to defeating Rory McIlroy at the Scottish Open, where a sellout crowd anticipated the Masters champion’s 30th PGA Tour victory.

Gotterup maintained his composure and showcased his remarkable skills throughout the day. He made crucial birdies, including a short putt on the par-3 12th that gave him a two-shot lead, followed by a 10-foot birdie on the par-5 16th to restore that advantage. He finished with a 4-under 66, securing the win against McIlroy and Marco Penge of England.

This victory grants Gotterup an opportunity to compete at Royal Portrush for his first British Open, enhancing his experience in links golf as he continues to excel.

“I might cancel that flight right now,” Gotterup remarked, trophy in hand, which also secures his spot at next year’s Masters. He earned this reward after starting the final round tied with McIlroy, making a challenging 4-footer for bogey on the first hole — a clear indication that nothing would come easily.

“I felt like a villain today,” he stated. “I had prepared mentally, hoping to stay tough, and I think I did just that.” Gotterup’s final score was 15-under 265, marking his debut in the top 50 of the world rankings.

McIlroy praised Gotterup’s performance, acknowledging that despite a bogey on 15, he rebounded with an impressive birdie on 16. “Once he pulled ahead, I couldn’t catch up,” McIlroy explained.

While McIlroy had hoped to maintain momentum heading to the British Open, he faced challenges keeping pace with Gotterup, who effectively turned his early struggles into a solid performance. “I’m pleased with my game overall; just missing the trophy is the only downside,” McIlroy reflected.