EDISON, N.J. - It was a gutsy victory for
Derek Gutierrez on Thursday as he claimed the 104th New Jersey Open Championship, winning by three strokes at Plainfield Country Club. He's the first amateur to win since Mark Costanza won in 2020.
Gutierrez, 19, marks the youngest champion since Max Greyserman won in 2014 at Essex County Country Club. He also becomes only the 14th amateur to win the storied major championship. The Cranford, New Jersey native is an incoming sophomore for Rutgers men's golf.
"It feels great," Gutierrez first said. "It hasn't really sunk in yet, but it's a big relief. It was a lot of fun out there. The win gives me a lot of confidence going into my next tournament and into the fall season at Rutgers."
"I'm proud of Derek and he has really been working his tail off to get to this moment," Rutgers men's golf's head coach
Rob Shutte said. "I know that he's humbled by this victory and all of Rutgers Nation is excited for him. He's excited to keep on working and we can't wait to see where he goes from here."
Going into the final day Gutierrez owned a five-stroke lead. The sophomore had to overcome some obstacles to pull out the victory.
"I was missing it right all day," Gutierrez added. "I was trying to take one shot at a time. I knew I had a little bit of a cushion, so I wasn't too crazy, but I just tried to stay patient like I said earlier this week."
On the back nine, 2023 Amateur Champion Jack Wall made a run, clocking birdies at 12 and 13 to get within one stroke of Gutierrez, who bogeyed 10 and 13. Gutierrez bounced back, draining a much-needed long putt for birdie on 17.
"I think the shot that secured me the win was my putt on 17," Gutierrez said. "I had a 30-footer, a double-breaker up the hill. I made that one which was big. It gave me a 3-shot lead going into the last hole. That shot not only calmed my nerves but was the shot of the week for me."
Despite an errant drive on 18, Gutierrez remained poised, getting on the green in regulation. He lagged his birdie putt within tap-in range. Gutierrez capped off his victory with a par on 18 and a collective applause erupted from the crowd.
"It was surreal, I didn't feel anything," Gutierrez said. "I was more shocked. I knew I had a little cushion so that 4-footer did not seem super long. But, I was blown away that I strung together a couple of good days and got the job done."
Gutierrez was the runner-up in the 2023 W.Y. Dear Junior Championship. He credits his first year on The Banks to the boost in his game.
"My two coaches,
Rob Shutte and
Oliver Whatley definitely helped me progress and get better," Gutierrez added. "I learned a lot from that State Junior and tried to use what I learned and put it to play today and that fortunately got the job done."
Gutierrez follows in the footsteps of Rutgers alum Chris Gotterup who won his first event on the PGA Tour at the Myrtle Beach Classic earlier this summer.
"I was thinking about that this morning," Gutierrez said. "Chris (Gotterup) got out there and got the job done. To see what he's accomplished and what he's doing now out on tour, it gives me a lot of confidence. For the next few years, If I keep sticking to the process, I can hopefully join him out there one day."
Gutierrez had his upperclassmen teammate
Noah Kumar as help on his bags for the event and competed against former teammate
Rhett Sellers as well. Gutierrez said having them both around was key to his victory.
"Noah is becoming a close friend of mine," Gutierrez said. "It was great to play together and against Rhett. We are competitors and compete against each other. But at the end of the day, everyone on the team just wants to see each other do well. It was a lot of fun having him out there."
Gutierrez is excited to take this victory and use it as confidence heading into next season at Rutgers.
"It gives me a lot of confidence going into next year, knowing I can string together some good rounds on a tough championship golf course," the young golfer said. "I have a lot to look forward too. I'm excited for the process, as well as the good and bad days. I can't wait to play well and compete with the boys."
