THE 153RD OPEN

July 18, 2025

Chris Gotterup

Mixed Zone

Q. Describe the day and the round.

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, I mean, it was great. Nothing really else to say other than that. Definitely an interesting day weather-wise. Felt like we played five different winds out there. But we were actually joking playing 17, I felt like we got -- I don't know if we got the best weather of the day but we got some good wind on some holes. Other than that, it was really -- I played good today. I didn't play as good yesterday and kind of just hung in there tough, and today was definitely a well-played today.

Q. Can you describe the two eagles?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, 2 was a good drive and a decent iron shot to the middle of the green and I made a nice putt. It really wasn't anything crazy. I got definitely a little lucky with it going in, and that was a crazy putt.

12, I hit a really good drive. That was going to be -- that's not the easiest of driving holes. Then I had a good number in. We had a similar shot earlier in the round, and I was like, if I just hit this how I want to, it's going to be solid. I definitely didn't mean to hit it right of the pin, but I'll take it. I'm not going to complain.

But it was two well-played holes and with the wind that we got.

Q. What kind of momentum do you feel like you have from last week? We just had Lee in here and I asked him about you and he considered you a dark horse to win this thing. He said it might surprise a lot of other people but it wouldn't surprise him. How are you feeling?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I feel good. Obviously coming off last week I know where my game is at. I know it's in a good spot. I think it's one of those things where you've got to -- this is definitely more of a marathon tournament than anything. You never know what -- who knows what the weather is going to be like tomorrow. You don't even look for the next day because it's different in the morning. It's one of those things where I feel like I'm plotting around the course well. 14, for example, today, I hit it in the bad spot, take my bogey and move on. I don't feel like I'm getting too greedy out there. I feel like I'm just doing a good job of taking what I'm given.

Q. Have you stretched one good week into another good week in terms of like a heater in a way in the past that stands out to you, particularly good back-to-back?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I wouldn't call it a heater at all, but I feel like there's been weeks where it's like, I'm in a decent spot, top 25, top 25, but I don't think top 25s would be considered a heater.

Q. Ever win back-to-back events in college or anything like that?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: No, definitely in college, I played well a lot. I think now with how everything has gone, I expect to play better, which is kind of a different mindset that I haven't really had. In college I would expect to go in and try to win a tournament.

Definitely last week helps with that, and hopefully just kind of keep going from there.

Q. I know you were kind of flying solo last week, but how many people have come over in the last six days to join you this week?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Just my parents. Everyone is back at home. My girlfriend was going to come over, but it didn't work out. It's been nice that it -- I would like to have everyone here, but it's been nice in terms of, like, my energy levels. I feel like if I had a ton of people here, it's always fun, but it just drains you a little bit with entertaining. My parents are easy. We went to dinner last night, and it's been fun. My dad loves The Open, and I don't know if my mom has ever been over here, so it's been fun in that aspect.

Q. I know you're pretty even keel, but because of what you did on Sunday, I know it's only 36 holes in, but do you allow yourself to think about winning this thing?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: I mean, the answer is no, but -- like no and yes. I know it's going to be a long weekend and I know it's going to be tough, so I'm not really -- you don't know what to expect, like I said before. But I feel like I'm playing well, and hopefully I can get myself in a good spot come Sunday.

I felt like I was playing with house money coming into the weekend, or into the week in general. I'm happy to be where I'm at. I feel like I'm playing well and I'm in a good spot.

Q. How much did Sunday buoy that, what you did at the Scottish?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, for sure. You know you can do it, and I've proven that I can do it, and on a decently big stage.

It's all good stuff. I don't have any issues or complaints with where I'm at. I feel like I'm in a good spot going into the weekend.

Q. Is it true your dad was at PV when you won the Scottish Open?

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah. If you talk to him, he'll tell you, he name dropped it like 30 times. Yeah, he was down there with his buddy playing the member-guest.

Q. That had to be the most perfect day for him.

CHRIS GOTTERUP: Yeah, he had a good day. It was funny, none of my family was together, they were in different parts of the country, so it was kind of cool in that aspect.