Chris Gotterup got off to a flying start at the Sony Open on Thursday after firing an opening round 63.
Gotterup is currently sitting just one stroke adrift of the leaders heading into day two of the Sony Open as he hunts down his third PGA Tour victory.
It’s fair to argue that Gotterup was actually unlucky to miss out on the US Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black back in September.
The 26-year-old displayed some sensational form in July, winning the Scottish Open and earning a third-place finish at The Open Championship.
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Chris Gotterup’s house move helped him shoot 63 on day one of the Sony Open
The American was in fine form in Hawaii on Thursday.
Gotterup was asked how he felt about his game heading into the Sony Open.
“Yeah, I made a move this offseason down to Florida for hopefully reasons like this,” the American said.
“Feel like my game is in better shape just because I’ve been putting in more work at home.
“Yeah, it’s been – me and my caddie were joking that playing TGL the last couple weeks has definitely helped me get ready for feeling some juice, and then playing in Grant Thornton and the Bahamas.
“I’ve played a decent amount the last couple weeks and months.
“Yeah, I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot.“
The challenge for Gotterup now will be to post three rounds in the mid-60s and see where that takes him.
The reason why Chris Gotterup moved to Florida
Gotterup was asked by reporters what led to his decision to swap Oklahoma for Florida.
“You know, I felt like the last couple years I started the tournaments really rough out of the gate,“ he admitted.
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“I loved living in Oklahoma, but 40 degrees and 40 mile an hour winds in December is not ideal for coming to Palm Springs or Hawaii.
“So I just figured that was the smart move to make. One round through it looks good.
“Yeah, it’s tough leaving a place you call home for a little while. Yeah, got a new home now.“
The vast majority of PGA Tour players live in Florida these days.
The climate in the Sunshine State allows for year-round practice and it seems like the Florida weather has already helped Chris Gotterup, since his move from Oklahoma.
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