Chris Gotterup is gearing up to make his debut at The Masters this year, a major milestone in what has been a remarkable rise over the past several months.
Just last April, while The Masters was being played, Gotterup was taking part in the Corales Puntacana Championship. At that point, he was ranked outside the world’s top 200, and even thinking about Augusta National seemed a long way off.
Fast forward seven months and everything has changed. Gotterup picked up his second win of the season at the WM Phoenix Open last week, his third victory in just seven months.
The 26-year-old from Little Silver, New Jersey is now ranked fifth in the world – a huge leap from where he was not long ago.
To ensure he could continue to play and practice during the colder months, Gotterup chose to relocate from Oklahoma to Florida for the winter.
This commitment has proven hugely successful for the American. His excellent form and dedication have now set him up to reap the substantial rewards and recognition he deserves.
Chris Gotterup lifts self-imposed Augusta ban following Masters call-up
Gotterup is not just heading to Augusta National to make up the numbers – he will be there as a genuine contender.
Given how well he has been playing, no one would be surprised if he finds himself in contention for the green jacket by the end of the week.
The 26-year-old American was asked whether he has any plans to visit Augusta National ahead of The Masters.
“It’s in the works at the moment.
“I’m going to try and go get a practice round in during Cognizant or Valspar, one of those weeks where I’m not going to play.
“I haven’t been yet. I’ve done a couple like sponsor things during the tournament, but they would always ask if I wanted to go over and I would say no because I didn’t want to go on property until I played for real. This time I’ll happily go over.”
Gotterup then went on to explain why he opted against visiting Augusta before qualifying for The Masters.
“Well, I haven’t been invited to play in general, but I would go down – one of my sponsors would do a dinner down there every Wednesday before and they would ask if I wanted to go over on Thursday and watch.
“I don’t know, I feel like it would ruin my – like one, I don’t really like watching other people play unless I’m not playing that week. It’s just my, I don’t know, I’m kind of weird in that sense. Like I wanted it to be, like it’s the most hyped up tournament in the sport and I don’t want to go over there and be a spectator, I want to play.
“I had faith in myself that I was going to be able to do it as a player. Now that I’m going to be able to, it will be much more rewarding stepping on the first tee there rather than being a fan.”
How Chris Gotterup’s path to Augusta was shaped by his New Jersey upbringing
Gotterup has not had an easy path to the top.
Everything he has achieved has come through a lot of hard work, and before the US Open at Oakmont in June, he spoke about why both he and fellow New Jersey native Ryan McCormick earned their places more than most.
“I know he takes great pride in that, and I take great pride in it,” he stated.
“There are good players who grow up in Jersey and go away to college. We’re two of the only guys who have toughed it out and climbed through the ranks in a place where you wouldn’t think you could do it.”
“I like to describe myself as someone who is gritty, and I know Ryan would say the same thing,” Gotterup said.
“That’s just part of our New Jersey roots.
“There were so many stepping stones for me that, even if I was good enough at Rutgers to turn pro, I would not be in the same position I am now.
“I needed those years of getting the crap beat out of me and coach yelling at me and teachers telling me, that I wasn’t trying hard enough in school. There are all these pieces that built up to get my feet underneath me to the point where I can finally kick some (butt).”
This background has clearly stayed with Gotterup.
The fact that he has remained grounded despite his success will only make his achievements feel even more rewarding.
His appearance at The Masters this year is a testament to his perseverance through tough times when making it seemed unlikely.
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