Chris Gotterup

Whenever a good golfer becomes a great golfer and eventually makes a leap in a professional way, they bring people. Sometimes, many people.

Mom, dad and cousin Jimmy, of course. And there are people from home – from school, church or on the street. Some of them will never leave their homes. Others were picked up at UNI or in group chats, promising allegiance via text messages. This has also become their journey.

Whenever Tommy Fleetwood competes, there are a bunch of older gentlemen’s holes in Southport Muni’s clubhouse. They remember Tommy-Lad that wasn’t a coy nickname that everyone in the golf industry used. The same goes for the Royal Oak in Dallas, the kid is called Scotty. Columbus Country Club is in Georgia, and whenever their pride and joy – Russell Henley – tours, they send updates to members. Of course, a recent guy praised him for the end of the T2 at Traveler, but focused more on his willingness to fine himself. They were proud of him. Henry practiced at CCC this weekend, blocking the track for amateurs as he passed. Portrush feels like Their Grand Slam.

The cool part about this idea is you Know Even if you can’t see it, this kind of fan exists. When Rory McIlroy won the Masters, you weren’t there at the Holywood Golf Club, but you know where the club is on the slope. You don’t know the group chat reacted to Brooks Koepka’s opening 68 in Oakmont, but you know it’s active.

We know because of moments like Sunday night. You see it in Chris Gotterup’s tears.

The moment after his open victory of Genesis Scotland was sealed, Gotterup found himself standing next to CBS’s talented post-visitor Amanda Balionis. Her first question was standard, but her second was special. She heard a small crack in Gotterup’s first answer and asked him in the easiest way:

We can hear the emotions in your voice. Why?

He exhale. He wiped his brow. Then his eyes. Then another exhale, which is deeper.

“Gimme A SEC,” he said.

The interview task is completed! It’s not because it makes the subject cry, but because it makes them think. Turning to his basic truth through adrenaline. Why yes Is he so excited? He had to doubt, even if it was just a second.

“I don’t know if I can get it out,” Gotterup started again, “but…everyone is at home.”

He paused again to wipe his eyes and kept breathing. These words are better than reading.

There are a lot of other things in these emotions, too. Just like he’s ending in 2024, when he misses out on cuts out of his cuts. Or the idea of an imminent injury to the other hand kicked out later in the season. Professional golf has loneliness. You feel very strong when you tie for nine holes with Rory McIlroy.

“I’m sure I’m the villain today,” Gotterup said. “There are a lot of people.” [Rory chants] And there are not many “Chris”. ”

Ask Bob MacIntyre, last year’s Scottish Open champion, ask about loneliness, other people, or just feel like they might not have what they need. He felt so serious that he flew his family to the United States and even involved them. His mom provided cooking. His father made some (legendary) small balls. Gotterup’s college coach – Rob Shutte of Rutgers – recruited last-minute flight changes in Europe, which led him to meet his star alumni in East Lothian. “He believed me before many others,” Gotterup said Sunday night. The person behind the player – probably the most charming corner of a professional game.

For GotTerup, these people embraced the eastern coastal areas primarily. They spent a lot of summers on the Jersey Coast. But this week, they were inside, screaming on TV. Shooting, it was after sunrise that they screamed at the shifting serve time, not allowing them to see Gotterup at all. You know that even if you can’t see this kind of fans, there are such fans. When their men bogey from the fairway bunker from January 1, they have to think like him:

“Oh, S –T. We’re leaving.”

Regardless of the following celebrations, you can say the same thing, whether it’s on the beach, on board or in the bar, a local favorite. But first, he won another start abroad. Their biggest one.