Chris Gotterup is playing some of the best golf on the planet right now-full stop. His latest win, a gritty come-from-behind victory over Hideki Matsuyama in a one-hole playoff, marked his fourth PGA Tour title and further cemented his status as one of the hottest names in the sport.
Aside from Scottie Scheffler, no one on Tour is matching Gotterup’s current form. And if there were any doubts about whether that win was a flash in the pan, he erased them immediately at Pebble Beach.
Right out of the gate at Pebble, Gotterup birdied six straight holes. Six.
That’s not just a hot start-that’s a statement. It came just days after he closed out the Phoenix Open with ice in his veins, and now he’s carrying that momentum into one of the most iconic courses in golf.
The message is clear: Gotterup isn’t just a rising star anymore-he’s a legitimate contender every time he tees it up.
Currently ranked fifth in the world, Gotterup is also the second-highest-ranked American, trailing only Scheffler, who’s firmly entrenched as world No. 1.
And when you stack up Gotterup’s recent run of success, the numbers speak volumes. He’s won four times over the past four seasons-more than anyone on Tour not named Scheffler or Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champ.
Even more impressive? Three of those wins have come in his last 10 starts.
That kind of heater is rare, especially for a player who, not long ago, wasn’t even in the conversation.
“I’m just trying to keep my head on straight and not get too over my skis,” Gotterup said-an honest, grounded take from a guy who’s clearly locked in but not letting the moment overwhelm him.
To put his rise in perspective: this time last year, Gotterup wasn’t even in the field at Pebble Beach. He was ranked 206th in the world and still fighting to make his mark.
Now? He’s not just in the field-he’s setting it on fire.
That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of work, confidence, and a game that travels.
Even Scottie Scheffler, the Tour’s top dog with 20 career wins and four majors under his belt, had to tip his cap. Earlier this week, the two crossed paths at Pebble Beach in the lunch line.
“I’m just going to eat what you’re eating,” Scheffler joked.
Gotterup smiled and kept it humble: “He’s doing pretty good on his own, so I’m not too worried about him.”
That balance of confidence and humility is part of what makes Gotterup so compelling. He’s still just 24, but he’s already got a veteran’s poise-and a winner’s mentality. His season-opening win at the Sony Open in Hawaii was another showcase of that, where he pulled away late to win by two strokes.
Next up? Augusta.
Gotterup has been to the Masters before-but only for sponsor events, never as a spectator. He made a decision early on: he didn’t want to step foot on Augusta National until he was playing in the tournament himself.
“I didn’t want to go on property until I played for real,” he said. “This time, I’ll happily go over.”
That’s the mindset of a player who’s not just dreaming about competing at the highest level-he’s already doing it. And if his recent run is any indication, Gotterup’s first walk down Magnolia Lane as a competitor won’t be his last.