Chris Gotterup warms up for Scottish Open defence with another PGA Tour win

Few people had heard of the American when he held off a world-class field to claim the Rolex Series title at The Renaissance Club last year.

But, on the back of an eye-catching 12 months, Gotterup is now firmly established as one of the game’s brightest stars.

His latest triumph came in the John Deere Classic, signing off with a sensational 62 at TPC Deere Run in Illinois for a ten-under-par total and one-shot success over compatriot Max Homa.

It was Gotterup’s third title triumph on the PGA Tour this year, having also landed the Sony Open in Hawaii then the WM Phoenix Open.

“Yeah, I'm warm, temperature-wise and golf-wise,” admitted Gotterup. “Yeah, I mean, I really felt like I grinded it out this week. Obviously today it kind of all came together, but the first three days I didn't have my best stuff.

“I talked about it earlier in the week that even my not so good stuff has gotten a lot better, which is great.

“Then obviously to come out today and to shoot three-under was awesome. Definitely not what I had in the cards, but I'll take those cards dealt to me, for sure.”

Gotterup is up seven spots to seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking as he joins Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in another stellar field in East Lothian this week.

“Yeah, it worked last year,” he said of having also played in the John Deere Classic before the Genesis Scottish Open. “I didn't play as good last year, so hopefully it's good prep, even though the two courses are about as polar opposite as it gets.

“Yeah, I think just getting good tournament reps is helpful. I felt like the last two weeks I was kind of grinding through some stuff. Obviously this week came out and played great golf.”

Gotterup joined Matt Fitzpatrick in landing three wins this season and he certainly won’t be springing any surprises if he either defends his title this week or is crowned as Open champion at Royal Birkdale next week.

“ Yeah, I think it's always a work in progress. We're all crazy, golfers,” he said. “The bads feel really bad even though they're not that bad, and the goods feel like you're unbeatable. Today I obviously had a really good day.

“This whole year has been really good, if you look at it in a big picture, but I obviously got off to a great start and was grinding it out in the middle of the year, but that's not unexpected. Yeah, obviously hopefully this kick-starts some other great stuff.

“Yeah, I'd be lying if I said this year wasn't a massive success. Hopefully I still have some tournaments left, and hopefully keep it going and running into the end of the year.”