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Chris Gotterup stands very close to the lead at PGA Championship.

Chris Gotterup has quickly made a name for himself since joining the Tour in 2024. He is one stroke off the lead heading into the weekend at the PGA Championship.

This year has been very successful for the 26-year-old. He has earned almost $5 million in prize money this season and already has two wins to his name. His first came at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, which was quickly followed by a playoff victory at the WM Phoenix Open in February.

His improvement in such a short time could be the result of the major decision he made in November. Gotterup bought a new home in Florida overlooking the beach, moving away from Oklahoma so he could practice golf year-round without dealing with chilly winters. But he did not move in alone.

His girlfriend, Samantha Rae, also joined him. The couple moved in together after presumably dating for almost two years.

“Thankful for this special month, special people & our new home in FL,” she wrote on Instagram while uploading a carousel of pictures of their home. Gotterup responded by saying, “New chapter.”

Chris Gotterup’s Days Leading Up to the Big Change

He graduated from Rutgers University in 2021 and then spent another year playing collegiate golf at the University of Oklahoma before finally turning professional in 2022.

Within five months of joining the Tour, he lifted the Myrtle Beach Classic trophy, earning a direct spot in that year’s PGA Championship. He missed the cut after shooting 3-over par through two rounds. While his golfing career did not produce many major moments immediately afterward, his personal life soon underwent a significant change.

The couple have not revealed how or when they met, but it was definitely before September 2024. Rae uploaded their first picture together during the Oklahoma Sooners vs. Temple Owls season opener.

Since then, she has regularly been seen supporting him at tournaments. Gotterup added another achievement to his résumé in 2025 when he won the Genesis Scottish Open, earning a direct berth to The Open Championship. He finished tied for third there, remaining in contention until the final round at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

This year, he also made his debut at the Masters Tournament. Rae uploaded pictures from the event to Instagram with the caption, “Cheers to the first of many Masters!” to which Gotterup replied, “Best first Masters.”

More About Samantha Rae

Rae has spent a fair amount of time in the heart of New York City. She is a New York Knicks fan and occasionally attends their games, evident from a photo she uploaded.

Above all, though, she seems to love traveling. In many of her photos, she is enjoying her time in different parts of the world, sometime France sometime Greece, whether on trips connected to Gotterup’s golfing career or while traveling on her own. Her posts suggest that she enjoys exploring new places, taking in new experiences and making the most of every destination she visits.

Gotterup has not revealed any future plans yet, but based on how things appear to be developing, it is clear that the two are serious about each other and could soon begin thinking about taking the next step in their relationship.