Here’s why Chris Gotterup was already thinking about retirement after winning the Sony Open

By

It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. Even if you’re a 26-year-old in the very beginning of the prime of your career.

Chris Gotterup, who won for the third time in as many years on the PGA Tour Sunday at the Sony Open, is already thinking about it. And for good reason.

Here’s Gotterup during his post-round interview with Golf Channel’s George Savaricas, nodding to the “five-year, um… whatever it’s called for retirement reasons”:

RELATED: The clubs Chris Gotterup used to win the Sony Open

No, Gotterup is not retiring any time soon. But there is a reason that it was on his mind, and it had nothing to do with the fact he just spent a week near the beach in Hawaii. 

This past week, Gotterup embarked on his third season on the PGA Tour, and his victory on Sunday has now guaranteed that he’ll be exempt through 2028. By the end of that season, Gotterup will have played five years on the PGA Tour, which qualifies you for the tour’s retirement plan. 

There are a number of components to the tour’s retirement plan, including the cuts plan and the FedEx Cup Bonus plan. Eligible players who play in at least 15 events can bank $4,800 for every cut made, and if they make 15 cuts or more that amount doubles. You can access that money after you turn 50, so Gotterup still has a ways to go. The FedEx Cup Bonus plan allows players to defer part of their FedEx Cup winnings for retirement, which they can access once they turn 45. 

The fact this was on Gotterup’s mind immediately following another win just goes to show how mature some of these younger guys are. It’s no wonder he already has three wins, each time looking unflappable in the final round. 

RELATED: The prize money payout for each golfer at the Sony Open

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com