Chris Gotterup has a brilliant opportunity to replicate what Jon Rahm did before he won The Masters in 2023

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Following Scottie Scheffler’s withdrawal this week, Chris Gotterup goes into the Texas Children’s Houston Open as the highest ranked player in the field at Memorial Park.

It appears that Scottie Scheffler will not play before The Masters. Scheffler would have had his sights set on winning the Houston Open at long last after three runner-up finishes.

His absence, however, presents a fantastic opportunity to Chris Gotterup.

Chris Gotterup could become the first player since Jon Rahm to win three times before The Masters

Gotterup has made a phenomenal start to 2026. He won the season opener at the Sony Open in Hawaii before sealing his fourth PGA Tour victory at the WM Phoenix Open.

The youngster will make his first ever appearance at The Masters next month. History may not be on his side – no player has won on their first visit to Augusta National since 1979 – but few have been more impressive than Gotterup this year.

And with Scheffler no longer involved this week, Gotterup could well become the first player since Jon Rahm in 2023 to win three times on tour before The Masters.

On that occasion, Rahm won Sentry Tournament of Champions, The American Express, and the Genesis Invitational.

It will surprise few to learn that Tiger Woods also managed to win three times before the first major of the year on a couple of occasions during his career.

Why Chris Gotterup is a clear favourite to win the Texas Children’s Houston Open

Gotterup can certainly take plenty of confidence if he manages to emulate Rahm this week.

Rahm went on to win once more in the 2023 season. And of course, that victory came at The Masters itself, with the Spaniard finishing four shots clear of Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson.

Gotterup has the game to thrive at Memorial Park. It is a golf course that plays into the hands of the longer hitters, with little penalty for wayward drives.

Gotterup averages 319.1 yards off the tee this year, leaving him sixth on the PGA Tour.

If he can rediscover that winning feeling again so soon before The Masters, he has to be considered a serious threat to become the first player since Fuzzy Zoeller to win on his first trip to Augusta National.