PORTRUSH – Harris English arrived in Britain two weeks ago without his caddie. Chris Gotterup flew over without a plane ticket for Ireland.
They’ll return to the United States as the second and third-placed finishers at the British Open at Royal Portrush, a whole lot richer and with exciting opportunities ahead of them.
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English shot a closing 5-under 66 on Sunday to secure a second runner-up finish to Scottie Scheffler at a major this year, after the PGA Championship in May.
One of the best years of his career could yet include an appearance in the Ryder Cup at New York in September.
Gotterup’s last two weeks on the links have been life-changing. As the world No. 158, he outlasted Rory McIlroy to win the Scottish Open last week and earn a late qualifying berth for the Open Championship where, on his major debut, he shot weekend rounds of 68 and 67 to finish third.
In the space of eight days, Gotterup has earned around $2.7 million — double his career earnings. Oh, and it was his 26th birthday on Sunday, too.
“I don’t know what’s going on over here,” said Gotterup, whose family roots are Danish, “but maybe my European blood in me a little bit has come to life.”
Caddie issues
English finished 13-under par, four shots behind Scheffler and a stroke ahead of final-round playing partner Gotterup. That despite being without his longtime caddie, Eric Larson, who couldn’t get a travel visa for the U.K. because of prison time served 20 years ago.
Instead, his short-game coach, Ramon Bescansa, was on the bag.
“Ramon and I did a great job of coming up with a strategy,” the No. 19-ranked English said. “He kind of knows how I operate.”
English is now just outside the automatic qualifying positions for the American Ryder Cup team.
“Hopefully I can get in that top six to lock up a spot,” he said.
As for winning a first major title, English just has to hope Scheffler has a rare bad week.
Only birdies from 40 feet at the par-3 No. 16 and from 13 feet at the 17th got English within four shots of the world No. 1.
“I wasn’t playing professional golf when Tiger was at his peak, early 2000s, mid 2000s. But it’s pretty incredible just how good of a front-runner he is," English said of Scheffler.
“He’s improved his putting. There’s no stat that he’s bad in. It’s like, how do you beat this guy?”
Ryder Cup shot
From being the final player to qualify for the British Open, Gotterup could yet be an out-of-nowhere pick by Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley after his results over the last two weeks.
“I mean, it really wasn’t ever on my radar,” Gotterup said. “I obviously hoped to play well, and it would be a miracle.”
Regarding his heritage, Gotterup said his father's parents were born in Denmark and retained a house over there. He would occasionally visit the Scandinavian country and he'd hear his family speaking Danish.
“I loved it,” Gotterup said. “I haven’t been in the last eight, 10 years. I’d like to go back now that I’m somewhat older and experience it for what it is.”
But, he was asked for clarification, who does he root for in the Ryder Cup?
“USA,” Gotterup replied.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf