Aldrich Potgieter Claims First PGA Tour Title at Rocket Classic
Aldrich Potgieter clinched his inaugural PGA Tour title on Sunday, sinking an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman in a gripping finale at the Rocket Classic.
"I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter remarked, reflecting on a tense playoff that saw multiple missed opportunities from all three contenders, resulting in the longest playoff of the season.
After the victory, he embraced his caddie and exchanged handshakes with Greyserman and his caddie before sharing a heartfelt hug with his father, Heinrich.
At just 20 years old, Potgieter stands as the youngest player on the tour and boasts impressive power, averaging over 326 yards off the tee. His win marks him as the ninth player to secure a first-time victory this season.
Originally from South Africa, Potgieter moved to Australia at age eight but returned to South Africa at 17 due to pandemic-related restrictions on competition. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back," he explained. "Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much."
Potgieter's accolades include winning the British Amateur at 17 and becoming the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year. He is now the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor leagues, just after his 20th birthday, following Jason Day, who achieved this feat at 19 in 2007.
Chris Kirk faced elimination after missing a crucial 4-foot putt on the second playoff hole, having already pushed a 9-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole.
Both Potgieter and Greyserman had chances to secure victory on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club but failed to convert birdie opportunities that would have broken their tie at 22 under with Kirk.
"This one's going to sting for a little bit," Greyserman admitted after finishing second for the fourth time in pursuit of his first PGA Tour win.
Potgieter entered the final round two strokes ahead, closing with a solid 3-under 69, while both Greyserman and Kirk shot 67.
Greyserman missed a critical 12-foot putt, and Potgieter fell short on an uphill 42-foot attempt. This left Kirk with a chance to win, but he too could not capitalize. After Greyserman two-putted from 39 feet for par and Potgieter did likewise from 20 feet, Kirk had another opportunity with a 9-foot putt but pushed it right, extending the playoff.
The trio then moved to the par-3, 158-yard 15th hole, where only Greyserman found the green but failed to capitalize.
The trend of missed opportunities continued on the par-4 16th, where both Greyserman and Potgieter missed 16-foot putts that could have sealed victory.
On the par-5 14th, Greyserman unleashed a drive of 361 yards—his longest of the week—just two yards shy of Potgieter's impressive blast. Potgieter's approach from 195 yards landed him 19 feet from the hole, but he pulled his putt. Greyserman managed to two-putt from 29 feet for birdie.
Returning to No. 15 for a second time in the playoff, Greyserman two-putted from 34 feet before Potgieter finally sealed his victory.
"Just wasn't my time," Greyserman reflected after yet another near miss for his first PGA Tour title.
Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished just one stroke shy of joining the playoff.
Meanwhile, Collin Morikawa continues to seek an end to his winless streak. He shot a 68 to finish tied for eighth at 19 under. The two-time major champion has not won on the PGA Tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who recently climbed to No. 7 in the world rankings after winning the Travelers Championship last week, closed with a score of 67, finishing tied for 41st at 12 under.
