Has Gotterup Got What It Will Take To Bring Down Grand Slam Winning McIlroy?

4 months ago by Comments Off on Has Gotterup Got What It Will Take To Bring Down Grand Slam Winning McIlroy?

Has 25-year-old relatively unknown American golfer Chris Gotterup got what it will take to deny Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy from capturing a second Genesis Scottish Open title in three years?

That’s the question that will be asked in the lead-up to the final round of the c0-sanctioned DP World Toud PGA Tour event tomorrow at the Renaissance course to the east of Ediburgh.

Gotterup and Mclroy head to the final day in Scotland tied for the lead at 11-under and with McIlroy posting a third day four-under 66 and Gotterup a no-frills level par 70.

Four players – the England pair of Marco Penge and Matt Fitzpatrick (each with 69) along with two Americans in Jake Knape (68) and Wyhdham Clark (66) share third place on 9-under.  Of course, Fitzpatrick and Clark are US Open champs and with Clark having denied McIlroy with victory in the 2023 US Open at the LA Country Club.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler again failed to impress adding a 68 and move to six-under, five adrift of the leading duo with defending champ Robert MacIntyre had a Saturday shocker to tumble to near last, signing for a 72 for a two-over tally and a distant share of 66th place.

Of course, McIlroy is the favourite to capture also what would be a 45th pro career victory after already this year winning the Masters along with three other 2025 PGA Tour titles including the Players Championship.

In contrast, Gottersup has one win and that being last year’s six shot PGA Tour success in the Myrtle Beach Classic.

But what a victory it would be for the Maryland-born but now Oklahoma resident curentrly ranked No. 158 in the world and with McIlroy the World No. 2.

Not only would Gotterup earn a two-year PGA Tour exemption but he would also earn a similar exemption on the PGA Tour as well as entry into next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Of course, it was not going to be easy on golf’s traditional moving day for Gotterup to back-up Friday’s course record equallying 61 while the made for TV 3.45pm (UK time) third round tee time also didn’t help.

However the forecast for early morning fog has meant the final round competitors will now go out in three balls commencing at 11.30am local Scottish time and with Gotterup, McIlroy and Clark out in the final group at 1.40pm.

Gotterup spoke to the media post his third round …

You hung in there, wasn’t the easiest start out of the gates and you flipped the switch at 5 and 6, seemed to get the round turned in the right direction?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, definitely not the easiest day out there considering how it was playing and how I played. Hung tough. It definitely not the start I was looking for coming out of the game but happy to bounce back.

A little bummed with my finish on 16 and 17. 16 was a little bit of — I haven’t played that hole well so hopefully get that one tomorrow. Tough to make putts here in the afternoon. Feels like it’s bouncing a little bit. I tried my best and on to tomorrow.

Q. Sometimes the putts just don’t go, and you hit some drives that ended up in some weird spots on the front nine. Missed a five at 10 and all of the sudden when you started to need to drive it really well and put it in the fairway.

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I feel like I’ve been driving it well all week. Even the ones on the front — 2, can’t hit in that bunker. Other than that, I really didn’t feel like I hit it that bad today. A couple loose iron shots here and there but that’s just going to happen. I’ve got to tighten it up tomorrow.

Q. Playing with Rory and Wyndham Clark, final group; going to have fun with it?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, I’m happy it’s not a 3.45 tee time again. That’s what you practise for. I’m in a good spot. If you came to me on Tuesday and said that was the case, I would have taken it. I’m excited for tomorrow and yeah, a good day ahead of us.

Q. Following up a 61, not an easy thing to do. Great round of golf today. How pleased are you?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, I’m pleased but definitely feel like I left one or two out there that would have been important. After 61, it doesn’t feel as easy. I hung in there tough and put myself in a good spot going into tomorrow.

Q. In hindsight, what could you have done differently?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I would have liked to pick one up on 16. I felt that hole was playing easy-ish this week, and hit a poor iron shot. Other than that, I hit a good shot on 17. Felt like a good putt. Didn’t go in. Yeah, 16 was really the one that bothered me because I hit a poor shot.

Q. You’re a proven winner on the PGA TOUR but this is a big stage tomorrow, a big day ahead of you, you will be in the group with Rory McIlroy who is already a proven winner at this event. How ready do you feel for this challenge?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I mean, I know what I’m capable of. I’ve won before. Obviously different tournament. But I won in college and I’ve won before. So I know what it takes. It’s going to take a good round for sure, and I’m going to go give it my best.



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