PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Chris Gotterup, the Fair Haven, N.J. native who captured the Scottish Open on Sunday, outlasting Rory McIlroy at the Renaissance Club, got into this British Open because of that life-changing victory.
Gotterup, who played his college golf at Rutgers and Oklahoma, won the Scottish Open at 15-under-par, two shots clear of McIlroy and Marco Penge, who were already exempt for this Open.
This is his first British Open.
Gotterup, 25, played in the 2022 U.S. Open, finishing tied for 23rd, and he was tied for 25th in this year’s U.S. Open.
He’s played in one PGA, missing the cut in 2024.
He’s never played in a Masters, but earned an invitation to next year’s Masters with the victory on Sunday.
Also qualifying for the Open this week based on his performance at the Scottish Open were Nicolai Højgaard and Matti Schmid.
Højgaard sealed the second qualifying place after finishing tied for fourth place and Schmid claimed the last spot available after finishing tied on six-under-par 274 along with the already exempt Harry Hall, Tom Kim and Adam Scott.
Two-time British Open winner Padraig Harrington, 53, will strike the opening tee shot at the 153rd Open in Thursday’s first round.
Harrington will follow in the steps of Northern Ireland native Darren Clarke, who hit the first tee shot at Royal Portrush six years ago.
Harrington will be on the first tee at 6:35 a.m. local time on Thursday alongside two playing partners, with the rest of the draw to be announced on Tuesday.
He’s one of five players from the island of Ireland in the field, with McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Clarke and Tom McKibbin.
Harrington is also the last player to win back-to-back British Opens, defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff in 2007 at Carnoustie and overtaking Greg Norman in 2008 at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy on Monday talked about how he emulates Lowry, his close friend from Ireland and the defending Open champion at Portrush.
“I just think about how he is off the course, how he is able to separate his family life and his normal life from his golfing life,’’ McIlroy said. “Look, I know I’m in a bit of a different position, so it may be a little bit more difficult for me, but it’s definitely a place that I strive to be in, to be as comfortable getting away from it as he is in a way and enjoying the fruits of your success and sharing that with your loved ones.
“That’s one of my New Year’s resolutions — to have more fun. I think Shane is very good at having fun, and I need more of that in my life.’’
Lowry later spoke about how he emulates McIlroy’s work ethic on the golf course.
“I think I help him, but he helps me as well,’’ Lowry said. “I certainly feel like I’ve learned a lot from his work ethic and how I apply myself to the game now. We spend a lot of time together. My biggest thing for him is he’s done everything there is to do in the game. He finished that in April [with the Masters win]. And his constant drive to get better every day is admirable.’’
When Lowry asked who he thinks will win the massive hurling championship on Sunday, Cork or Tipperary, he said, “I think Cork will win, but I don’t really want to say much else on that because I’ll lose a few fans, in Tipperary or Cork.’’
Former Open winner Ernie Els withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Si Woo Kim, and Paul Waring withdrew due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Davis Riley.
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