SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Chris Gottapp appears to have discovered TPC Scottsdale and eventually has an opportunity to observe Saturday’s spectacle, the Phoenix Open.
Prime-ranked Scottie Scheffler must transfer down within the subsequent spherical to qualify for the weekend.
On Thursday, within the first spherical of the Phoenix Open on a uncommon day for Scheffler, Gotterup shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead.
“I do not know if the course has modified in any respect,” stated Gottarup, who missed out on the final two journeys to TPC Scottsdale. “I really feel like I am enjoying higher and managing the sport higher. I simply flew again from TGL and I assumed I needed to be right here this Saturday and watch it.”
Gotterup will get his probability after a heat day regardless of the desert that resulted in a protracted drive and poor rating.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick matched his again 9 file with 29 of 65 photographs. Sam Stephens was amongst 4 gamers with 66, and 26 gamers had 68 or extra photographs earlier than play was stopped as a consequence of darkness.
Schaeffler was not a type of who languished. The four-time Participant of the 12 months missed two chip photographs in a 2-over 73 and stood up, placing his streak of consecutive 65 cuts in jeopardy.
Brooks Koepka additionally struggled. The five-time main winner had just one birdie in a 75 in his second event since returning to the PGA Tour.
Gotterup, 26, shot a final-round 64 on the season-opening Sony Open on Oahu for his third win in three seasons on the PGA Tour. He tied for 18th final week at Torrey Pines.
He began his spherical Thursday with a 27-foot eagle putt from simply exterior the inexperienced on the par-5 thirteenth gap. He soaked up the booze by hitting a 7-footer on the par-3 sixteenth at Stadium for his third straight birdie, then added one other birdie on the 18th to complete at 6-under 30.
Gotterup two-putted for birdie on the par-5 third and added 26 toes on the lengthy par-3 seventh to match his first 63 in Hawaii.
“I really feel like I am doing issues nicely and I am considering issues by, and I feel that is an important factor,” Gottap stated. “I can’t say I performed my greatest or something as we speak, however my putt was nice.”
Fitzpatrick began with birdies on the tenth and eleventh, then picked issues up with 5 consecutive runs beginning on the thirteenth. He shot 7 underneath par to tie the again 9 file with seven others, and added a birdie on the par-5 third earlier than in the end stumbling with two bogeys.
The 2022 U.S. Open champion hasn’t received because the 2023 RBC Heritage at Hilton Head.
“If somebody had informed me I might begin the day right here at 6 underneath and I might keep in mattress, I might have grabbed your hand,” Fitzpatrick stated. “I’m in a superb place to start out and hopefully I can begin.”
