Chris Gotterup rocketed to the top of the leaderboard following a sensational 61 to lead by two shots at the Genesis Scottish Open.
Related: Four-way tie for lead in Scotland
The American, who won the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic on the PGA TOUR, was a relative unknown on these shores ahead of his arrival in East Lothian, but he grabbed the attention of spectators packing the fairways and grandstands at Renaissance Club with a flawless display on Friday.
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The 25-year-old began the second round four shots off the quartet of overnight leaders, however, he got his birdie blitz underway with a 45-footer at the second before reaching the turn in a brilliant 29.
When he added three more birdies by the 14th hole, there were murmurs of the magical number 59 but he parred his way home to equal the course record and set the clubhouse target of 11 under.
Gotterup’s closest rival proved to be Harry Hall at nine under, with English pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge and Swede Ludvig Åberg one shot further back in a share of third.
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World Number Two Rory McIlroy briefly held the lead under sunny skies on Scotland’s golf coast, ultimately reaching seven under after his round of 65, alongside American duo Keith Mitchell and Jake Knapp, Austrian Sepp Straka, Canada’s Nick Taylor and German Matti Schmid.
Defending champion Robert MacIntyre birdied the 17th to get inside the cutline at one under par.
Player quotes
Chris Gotterup: I definitely played good today. Not a lot of wind in the morning which was obviously beneficial. But yeah, it’s funny, when it flips you get some holes that you like and some holes that you don’t like and vice versa. I think there’s definitely certain holes that feel nice. Nice three pars to finish.
You just take what you can get, what the course gives you with the wind, and I think it’s much more pin location oriented and where you can get to in some spots you have to be smart and take your 30-footer on some holes.
I think it’s fun. We went over to North Berwick on Tuesday, and it’s not TPC Deere Run where it’s point-and-shoot and you have to be on.
I like working the ball and I think I’m creative in some aspects. When you get a little wind and some bouncing, it just makes it fun. Doesn’t make it any easier. You’ve got to be on and hit some good shots. I think it’s definitely, like you said, a change of pace and it’s a nice change of pace.
