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July 06, 2026 | Edition #328 |
👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},
Chris Gotterup won his fifth PGA Tour title on Sunday, but the John Deere Classic was more special than others. You’ll know why. That and some more updates from TPC Deere Run, plus great shots and saves, and three more winners across three different tours in this Monday edition.
Let’s get started…
There’s not a single hotter player on the Tour than Gotterup right now.
When Chris Gotterup realized he had won the John Deere Classic, he couldn’t control his emotions. He was on the range with his brother, who was on his bag, bracing for a playoff. Ben Kohles missed the par putt, and Gotterup put his head on his brother’s shoulder. Just watch the tight hug between the siblings, and you’ll understand what this meant for the Gotterup family.
Chris and Patrick had been planning this for months since Chris’s usual caddie, Brady Stockton, took a break after the birth of his daughter. Gotterup began Sunday five shots adrift but took the solo lead on the 17th. Ben Kohles (-18/T3), meanwhile, pulled even with a birdie on the 16th but came undone on the 18th after his ball found the water.
A routine par would have forced a playoff, but Kohles’s double bogey snuffed that chance. Despite the disappointment, Kohles still showed class, as you can see here.
Gotterup, meanwhile, vaulted to No. 7 in the world. This marked his third victory with a final round of 64 or lower, which, according to Justin Ray, is a PGA Tour record in the last 40 years. Just imagine: A year ago, he was 165th in the world with only one victory!
Bigger picture: 54-hole leaders Lee Hodges and Lucas Glover finished tied for third. Max Homa (-19/2nd) recorded his best finish since 2023, and Zach Johnson (-16) tied for ninth.
July’s first week was a week to remember.
On brand: On the 11th in R4, Jordan Spieth (-7/T58) had the wildest par-save of his career. Wayward drive. Dropped club. Almost kicking it. Guess what? After a few adventurous minutes, Spieth walks in the 16-foot par putt—watch it here.
Not like us: Matti Schmid (-6/T23) was having his own Spieth-ian odyssey at the BMW International Open. On the 14th, his tee shot went to the jungle. His second shot found a native area to the right. Yet he walked away with par—watch the drama here.
Not his day: On the 72nd hole, Ben Kohles (-18/T3) had a chance to win outright with a birdie. Instead, his second shot bounced off the rough and plunged straight into the water. Watch the heartbreaking miss here.
Perfect shot: Kelsey Bennett (-9/2nd) fell three shots shy of winning her second LET title this season, but she almost had it. After watching her stunning chip-in on the 16th, you’d say that, too.
Surprise ace: At the U.S. Adaptive Open, Ricky Reilly made a surprise hole-in-one on the 8th in the practice round—look at his reaction.
Elsewhere:
Can you nail both the outfit and your shot at once? Kajsa Arwefjall (+7/T49) did both.
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Maiden winners and Paddy’s historic victory.
U.S. Senior Open: At Scioto Country Club, Padraig Harrington (-12) became the fourth player to successfully defend his U.S. Senior Open title and only the second to claim it three times. A century earlier, at this very same venue, Bobby Jones lifted the U.S. Open trophy. Here is a side-by-side picture of Harrington and Jones that you’ll definitely want to hang on your wall.
BMW International Open: 39-year-old South African Michael Hollick (-18/1st) claimed his maiden DPWT title with a one-shot victory over Hennie Du Plessis (2nd). After an eagle on the final hole sealed it, watch Hollick standing quietly on the 18th, eyes closed, soaking it all in.
Hulencourt Women’s Open: Carolina Chacarra (-12/1st) claimed her first Tour title with a three‑shot victory over Kelsey Bennett, making her the season’s first rookie winner. She also punched her ticket to the ISPS Handa Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open. And guess who congratulated her, if not her brother, who is nearly PGA Tour-bound.
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