Chris Gotterup has vaulted into Ryder Cup contention as he heads toward the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship, buoyed by a breakthrough two weeks in Britain.
He captured the Scottish Open in July and followed that with a third-place finish at The Open the next week, a run that left Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley notably impressed with the 26-year-old Oklahoma native’s nerve and performance on golf’s biggest stages.
Still, it has been claimed that Bradley is more likely to lean toward Cameron Young for the team, a decision that could hinge on Gotterup’s form over the next two events. The two-week stretch of BMW Championship this week and the Tour Championship next week remains crucial, with Bradley’s call potentially riding on how Gotterup handles the pressure and finishes the season.
Gotterup himself spoke about the conversation with Bradley on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, revealing a candid, honest message about the challenge of earning a first Ryder Cup berth. “It’s going to be really hard to make your first team,” Bradley reportedly told him, followed by a reminder to “leave no doubt out there” and to “go take care of business over the next couple of weeks.” Gotterup acknowledged last week wasn’t his best, but stressed that he’s had a strong summer and is eager to test himself again this week.
In terms of the 2025 season, Gotterup has played 25 events, with one win, three top-10s, twelve top-25s and nine missed cuts. His overall stats show a high-variance profile typical of a player still finding consistency: seventh in strokes gained off the tee, 106th in strokes gained approach, 63rd around the green, 87th in putting, and a total strokes gained ranking of 32nd.
What stands out most, according to observers, is Gotterup’s ability to perform under pressure. That knack for elevating his game when the stakes are highest is precisely the trait Bradley is weighing as he contemplates the team. The next two weeks will offer a final, tangible measure of whether Gotterup can convert his early-season promise into Ryder Cup timing.
What to watch for: track Gotterup’s form over the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, especially how he handles late-round pressure, his approach play in tougher conditions, and any improvement in consistency across the week-to-week results. If he can string together two solid weeks, he’ll enter fall with a compelling case for a first-team selection, adding an exciting new dynamic to the U.S. squad.
Summary: Gotterup’s rapid rise in the summer spotlight has put him in contention, but the Ryder Cup decision remains contingent on his performances in the season’s final two marquee events. His blend of tall-ball accuracy off the tee and a proven ability to rise to the moment give him a real shot, and Bradley will be watching closely to see if Gotterup can leave no doubt as the championship schedule concludes.