​Kevin Kisner has praised Chris Gotterup after his John Deere Classic victory, highlighting that he is one of the few elite PGA Tour players who travels with a relatively small entourage at events. Gotterup has enjoyed a spectacular year on the tour. The 26-year-old kicked off the season by winning the Sony Open in Hawaii, followed quickly by a playoff victory over Hideki Matsuyama at the WM Phoenix Open.
Going into the final round at Deere Run, Gotterup trailed the leader by five shots. He produced a stunning surge on Sunday, shooting a 62 to finish 20 under par and clinch the title. It has been a remarkable 12 months for Gotterup, with his Scottish Open win in 2025 turning him into a household name. Although he missed out on Bethpage, he remained a key figure in the Ryder Cup discussions, with Keegan Bradley reportedly weighing him for selection.
Kisner, speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, explained what he admires about Gotterup’s mindset and game. He described Gotterup’s swing as highly athletic, noting his large turn, the way his right leg straightens, and his hip rotation in the backswing. Kisner also pointed out Gotterup’s distinctive habit of never latching his glove, instead letting it sit lightly on his hand.
“This is the kid who grew up playing on the muni circuit in New Jersey, and he’s always competed at every level, now delivering a tour-level swing,” Kisner said. He added that Gotterup doesn’t rely on a big team of swing coaches, mental coaches, putting coaches, and chipping coaches. “That’s why there are hundreds of people following the top players in practice rounds—their teams surround them. Gotterup does it his own way, grinding it out in the dirt. When his form isn’t perfect, he figures it out on the range, and that’s what I love about him. I think that’s what gives him staying power on the PGA Tour.”
Gotterup’s Deere Run win may not have come as a shock, given the signs over the past year. His recent results hadn’t been overflowing with top-10 finishes, but the underlying data tells a different story. According to DataGolf, Gotterup has only lost strokes off the tee at a single event this season, the Memorial Tournament, where he lost a mere 0.05 strokes per round. In addition, he has posted gains with his putting in his last 12 starts, a streak that began at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. That combination meant he could still post strong results even if his approach play wasn’t always at its best during the Deere Run week, allowing him to capitalize on his improving putting and overall form for a well-deserved victory.