PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Chris Gotterup continued his impressive form with an outstanding performance, achieving a stunning 8-under 64 on Thursday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. This remarkable round included an impressive streak of nine consecutive birdies across two rounds, leaving him just two shots behind leader Ryo Hisatsune in a day marked by beautiful weather and low scores for most players. Notably, Scottie Scheffler struggled, finishing with an even-par 72.
Gotterup, fresh off a victory at the Phoenix Open, where he ended with three straight birdies to clinch the win in a playoff, brought his winning momentum to the Pebble Beach event. Transitioning from warm desert conditions to the cool coastal climate of California, his game showed no signs of faltering. He started strong with a short birdie putt on the opening hole and followed it up with a 10-footer on the par-5 second, before racking up more birdies to finish the front nine in remarkable style.
“This was nice,” Gotterup said, reflecting on his steady play. He became the first golfer in 25 years to start a PGA Tour event with six consecutive birdies after coming off a win. His performance put him among just eight golfers in that time frame to open a tour event with at least six straight birdies.
However, it wasn’t enough for Gotterup to overtake Hisatsune, who performed superbly with a round of 62 at Pebble Beach. Hisatsune, coming off a strong showing with a runner-up finish at Torrey Pines, made three consecutive birdies early and finished strong with three more to secure the lead.
Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns were also competitive, with Bradley posting a solid score of 65 at Spyglass Hill, which traditionally plays as one of the tougher courses. Defending champion Rory McIlroy had a challenging start, riddled with three-putt double bogeys, but still managed a 68 in his first start of the season.
Throughout the day, the soft greens provided scoring opportunities for many players, especially on the early holes where Gotterup and Hisatsune capitalized. In contrast, Scheffler faced difficulties with a mud clump affecting his shot on the par-5 second, ultimately hampering his ability to score well.
Burns rose to the occasion in the latter part of his round, stringing together five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine, showcasing his strong putting skills that allowed him to stay bogey-free.
Chris Gotterup’s performance highlighted his rising talent in the golf world, reflecting the excitement of a new generation of golfers eager to make their mark on the PGA Tour. As he progresses in this event, fans can look forward to more thrilling moments from this promising young player.