I want to thank you for your consideration and assure you that if I were fortunate enough to receive an exemption, I would make you and the tournament proud.
That was a line from Chris Gotterup’s letter to the John Deere Classic’s tournament director earlier this year. Gotterup, the reigning college player of the year out of Oklahoma University, was asking for a sponsor exemption.
Gotterup ended up receiving an invite, and he delivered on his promise. He birdied each of his last three holes to shoot 5-under 66 and notch his best career PGA Tour finish, a T-4 showing.