Everything was going right for the new PGA Tour star until it wasn’t! He caught fire on Friday with a stunning 61 that tied the course record, taking full advantage of the week’s easiest playing conditions. But what’s really turning heads is how he’s managed to stay at the top when things got much tougher. And that’s none other than Chris Gotterup. On Saturday, under pressure and in far more difficult weather, Gotterup shook off a slow start and held his ground with an even-par finish to stay tied for the lead.

He’s not exactly a regular in these high-stakes moments, but he does have one win under his belt from the 2024 OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic, where he also played from the front. Now, he finds himself in the final group with none other than Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark, and the stakes are a whole lot higher.

During Sunday’s round, he nearly jarred an ace, hitting the flagstick and adding to what’s already been a standout performance. And this run couldn’t have come at a better time. Gotterup is currently sitting at 88th in the FedExCup standings, well outside the cutoff for the Playoffs and the elite Signature Events. He’s also not yet qualified for The Open. But if he can keep his cool and finish strong, he might just turn a solid week into a career-changing one.

But then things suddenly changed in the final round. As mentioned on Underdog Golf’s Twitter, Chris Gotterup was put on the clock. That means tournament officials thought he was playing too slowly, so they began timing each of his shots. If he took too long, he risked getting a warning or even a penalty. It was extra pressure right when he was trying to hold on to his lead.

Being put on the clock can break a player’s rhythm, force rushed decisions, and increase pressure, especially in a tight final round. For someone like Gotterup, still gaining experience, it can lead to mental distractions, rushed swings, and potential mistakes at the worst time.  And just behind rising star Gotterup, Rory McIlroy is tied for second at the Genesis Scottish Open and looks ready to make a serious push.

His form has taken a sharp turn upward since the Masters, where he completed the career Grand Slam but later admitted to losing motivation. That shift is easy to see now, with rounds of 68, 66, and another 66 on Saturday, giving him the best score of the day and putting him firmly in contention heading into the final round. While Gotterup is fighting for a breakthrough win, McIlroy is chasing a statement victory with all eyes on him.

It does not come as a surprise that some fans believe the timing of this decision was questionable, suggesting it may have been made to give Rory McIlroy, who was tied for second, a slight edge in the closing stretch.

Fans React as Gotterup Gets Put on the Clock

Comments like “fix is in for Rory!” and “It’s very obvious that the commentators want Rory to win. Sad.” The coverage kept praising Rory’s calm under pressure while barely giving credit to Gotterup’s gritty performance. With Rory being a huge fan favorite and playing on European soil, some viewers believe the spotlight was never really meant for anyone else. The return of The Open Championship to his homeland in Northern Ireland has reignited his drive, and it’s showing in every part of his game. He has regained control of the tee and seems far more confident on the greens.

Another fan added, “Doing that with four holes to play as the guy tries to close out one of the best to ever do it? Questionable decision IMO” They felt the timing of the call was too convenient and accused the officials of favoring Rory throughout the round. Such a pressure-inducing call was made right as Gotterup was trying to close out a career-defining win against a go-do-it-yourself legend. Many believe it was a questionable call that disrupted his rhythm at a crucial moment in such a high-stakes, $9 million event.

And then came the moment that had many fans convinced the pressure had gotten to Gotterup. One fan pointed out, “And immediately makes bogey,” right after he was put on the clock.

Another fan added, “Ridiculous. Haven’t even lost a hole on the group in front. I don’t recall action ever being taken against someone for slow play either, complete nonsense.” Gotterup’s group hadn’t fallen behind the group ahead, which is usually when officials step in for slow play. The fan questioned why action was taken when there was no clear delay affecting the pace of the field. It is rare to see players penalized for slow play during key rounds.

The real question now is, can Gotterup block out the noise, rise above the pressure, and finish the job by taking down Rory McIlroy on his home turf?