PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — When Chris Gottterp first performed at Pebble Seaside Golf Hyperlinks, it was a reward from his father for breaking par for the primary time.
The 13-year-old shot a 2-under 69 at Rumson Nation Membership in New Jersey, and his prize was a visit to the Monterey Peninsula’s well-known course along with his father and youthful brother.
On Thursday, Gottapp, now 26, will tee off as one of many favorites to win the 80-man professional discipline on the AT&T Pebble Seaside Professional-Am, the primary marquee occasion of the PGA Tour season.
Gotterup turned the fifth-ranked golfer on the planet after defeating Hideki Matsuyama on the primary playoff gap eventually week’s WM Phoenix Open for his second win in his third match of the season. He’s the second-highest ranked American behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Gotterup’s 4 wins prior to now 4 seasons are greater than another tour golfer besides Scheffler and reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy. Gotterup has three wins in his previous 10 begins previous to final 12 months.
“I am simply attempting to maintain my head straight and hold my foot on the ski,” Gottapp stated.
How nice has Gottharp been over the previous two seasons? Final 12 months, he was ranked 206th on the planet and did not even qualify for the sphere at Pebble Seaside.
Scheffler, who has gained 4 majors amongst his 20 whole on tour, stood behind Gotterup within the lunch line at Pebble Seaside earlier this week.
“I simply eat what you are consuming,” Scheffler joked.
“I am not too fearful about him as a result of he is been doing fairly properly himself,” stated Gotterup, who additionally gained the season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii on Jan. 18 by two strokes.
Gotterup’s expertise was evident throughout the 2021-22 season, his solely season at Oklahoma. He averaged 69.8 factors in 13 tournaments and gained the Eastlake Cup and Puerto Rico Basic. He was a consensus All-American and picked up the Fred Haskins Award (Division I) and Jack Nicklaus Award (Division Total), given to the nation’s high collegiate golfer.
Gotterup performed his first 4 years at Rutgers and was named Massive Ten Participant of the 12 months in 2019-20.
Sooners coach Ryan Hybl first noticed Gottapp when the Rutgers star was hitting his group throughout an novice match in Pennsylvania.
“Who’s that?” Mr. Hybl requested the match director.
“Massive Ten participant of the 12 months,” he replied.
The following time Heibl heard about Gottharp, the match director advised him he had entered the switch portal as a graduating senior.
Hybl jumped on the likelihood to signal him, beating out Pepperdine, the place his father, Morten, had earned a grasp’s diploma.
“We solely had him one 12 months, however he was the School Participant of the 12 months, and we actually noticed this coming,” Hybl stated. “He does issues that different gamers cannot do. He is acquired additional slugging energy and he stays in performs. He is an excellent competitor. He is an excellent iron participant.”
“If you discuss PGA Tour-level golf, it pays off. The massive boys like Lowry, Scheffler, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm are all massive and lengthy and powerful and may hit excessive pictures, low pictures, and do all of it. That is what Chris can do.”
Though Gotterp completed his faculty profession at Oklahoma State, he’s happy with his Northeastern roots.
Keegan Bradley, who performed at St. John’s, stated he usually felt like an outsider within the early days of the PGA Tour. Bradley is at the moment touring with Gotterup and fellow New Jersey natives Max Glaserman, John Pack and Ryan McCormick.
Gotterup appears to have turn into a family identify in his first three seasons.
“In a means, I do not know if it is a knock on my shoulder, but it surely’s one thing I am happy with,” Gotterup stated. “I believe it is a place that takes satisfaction in all the pieces. I am certain that after I return house, lots of people I do not even know care about what I am doing, whether or not it is residing in the identical city or the identical space or enjoying the identical programs.”
Gotterup believes the key to his turnaround is consistency. He gained the Opponent Myrtle Seaside Basic in Could 2024, however missed 5 of his subsequent seven begins. The opposite two instances he completed 61st or decrease.
Final season, Gotterup missed the weekend in seven of his first 10 begins. He recovered over the summer time to play wonderful golf, successful the Scottish Open and ending solo in third place on the Open at Royal Portrush Golf Membership in Northern Eire.
Gottap certified for all three FedEx Cup playoffs and tied for tenth on the Tour Championship.
“I believe I am way more able to play properly each week now. Up to now, I might have an enormous week after which miss the minimize 4 instances in a row,” Gotterup stated. “Now I’ve higher management over what is going on on when it is not (my) essential sport, even after I do not feel good.”
Gotterup has actually managed the sport this season. He ranks second in strokes gained in whole (2.846) and off the tee (1.111). He ranks fifth in driving distance with a mean of 327.9 yards.
There will likely be much more at stake once they play at Pebble Seaside this week. He performed the course once more throughout his solely season at Oklahoma, ending second within the 2021 Carmel Cup, hosted by Dallas automobile supplier Finn Ewing III.
In April, Gotterup will play within the Masters for the primary time. He had beforehand traveled to Augusta, Georgia, throughout Masters week to attend a sponsored occasion, however declined to attend the match as a spectator. He needed to attend to see the course at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership for the primary time as a competitor.
“I did not need to go on the property till I really performed,” Gotterup stated. “I will be comfortable to go this time.”
Gottap plans to play a observe spherical there in March.
“I might describe each gap on that course, even with out stepping foot on it,” he stated.
