Chris Gotterup Wins Scottish Open, Clinches Spot in Open Championship
Former New Jersey Open champion captures biggest win of his career at The Renaissance Club
NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Chris Gotterup, a former New Jersey Open champion, claimed the biggest victory of his professional career on Sunday at the Genesis Scottish Open, outlasting Rory McIlroy and a world-class field to secure his second PGA Tour title and a berth in next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The 25-year-old Gotterup shot a final-round 66 to finish at 14-under-par for the tournament, two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy and England’s Marco Penge. The victory not only earned him a $1.57 million winner’s check but also delivered one of the final qualifying spots into the final major of the season.
Gotterup, who entered the week ranked No. 158 in the Official World Golf Ranking, vaulted into contention with a course record-tying 61 on Friday. Despite slipping back with an even-par 70 on Saturday, he held steady in Sunday’s final round, playing alongside McIlroy in the final group.
“It’s awesome. I can't wait to see everyone, and I’m playing The Open next week,” an emotional Gotterup said during his post-round interview on CBS.
The former Rutgers University standout and Little Silver, New Jersey native has long been considered one of the game's emerging American talents. His win at the 2019 New Jersey Open Championship signaled his potential, and Sunday’s result further validated his trajectory on golf’s biggest stage.
Gotterup opened his final round with a bogey but quickly recovered, making the turn at 2-under. A precise tee shot to within three feet on the par-3 12th set up a key birdie, and he added another at the par-5 16th—stretching his lead to two with two holes to play. He held on comfortably from there, sealing the win with a routine par on the 18th.
McIlroy, chasing what would have been his 30th career PGA Tour victory, managed a 2-under 68 but failed to mount a charge down the stretch. He made par on each of his final 10 holes.
“I knew today was going to be a grind,” Gotterup said. “But I felt ready for the challenge.”
With the win, Gotterup moved to No. 39 in the FedExCup standings and is now fully exempt into the PGA Tour’s Signature Events and FedExCup Playoffs. It also marked his first top-10 finish of the 2025 season.
Gotterup’s rise has been steady since turning professional in 2022. After making a name for himself on the amateur circuit—including his standout play at Rutgers University before transferring to Oklahoma—he broke through with his first PGA Tour win at the Myrtle Beach Classic in 2024.
Gotterup becomes just the sixth American man to win the Scottish Open since it became a co-sanctioned event between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Gotterup said. “And I know when I feel the way I did today, I can beat the best.”
Next week, he'll get the chance to prove it again—this time on one of golf’s most historic stages.
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