Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete.
Potgieter is about to face another test.
The PGA Tour’s youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit.
“The leaderboard’s so stacked,” Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a 7-under 65 to surge into the lead Saturday.
The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood.
“I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling,” the 5-foot-11, 211-pound Potgieter said. “Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn’t just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation.”
Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back. Three more players were another stroke behind.
“As long as you’re kind of hanging around on Sunday, that’s what counts,” Greyserman said.
Collin Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 5 in the world, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots back. Two years ago in Detroit, he was outlasted by Rickie Fowler in a playoff. Morikawa, a two-time major champion, has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
“Look, I know what’s at stake,” Morikawa said. “I want to find a way to get it done.”
In a nod to his native country, Potgieter’s white golf shoes have the South African flag on the outside of his heels.
He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007.
Potgieter was in a position to win earlier this year.
He lost a playoff at the Mexico Open in February, when Brian Campbell got a big break when his tee shot on the second extra hole went off a tree and back in play. He missed the next four cuts and seven of eight before he was tied for sixth at the Charles Schwab Challenge last month in his last PGA Tour start last month.
While the Detroit Golf Club is one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world’s 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition.
Potgieter’s driver certainly gives him a shot, but he also flashed some of his finesse during his birdie streak on the front nine in the third round.
He opened with a birdie on a 35-foot shot from a bunker. His approach on the par-5 seventh was buried in the rough, pin high and 78 feet to the right of the cup. He lofted the ball past the hole and it rolled back toward it, setting up an eight-foot birdie putt.
At the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he waited for Kevin Roy and Michael Thorbjornsen to exit the green because he was going for it.
Potgieter pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough 374 yards from the tee. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine for a two-shot lead.
He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at No. 13 and lipping out on a 7-foot putt at the 14th, missing a chance to birdie the par 5, and closed with five pars in a row.
“That front nine really helped me to get through,” Potgieter said. “A lot of par saves on this back nine.”
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a new name is on everyone’s lips in detroit aldrich potterer at just 20 he’s leading a pga tour event a huge moment for him and for golf he hails from south africa a country that’s produced legends like gary player ernie l’s and lewis uezen now aldrich is showing he has the talent to join their ranks his journey began in moscel bay south africa but his family soon moved to australia adjusting to a new country as a child was tough but it made him adaptable and strong eventually they returned to south africa a move that set him on the path to golf’s biggest stages these experiences taught him independence and confidence qualities vital for a professional golfer on the course you’re alone solving problems shot by shot aldrich’s unique upbringing gave him a maturity beyond his years today as he walks the fairways of detroit golf club he exudes quiet confidence he doesn’t look like a newcomer he looks like he belongs his global journey has shaped his perspective and his game he’s played on different continents adapting to new cultures and courses this has made him a well-rounded global player he’s not just a golfer from south africa he’s a citizen of the golfing world this weekend he’s proving just how bright his future is the world is watching and he’s ready for the challenge from moscel bay to detroit his story is just beginning he’s already inspiring the next generation of golfers the pressure is high but so is his potential aldridge potgeer is a name we’ll be hearing for years to come the golfing world is taking notice a new era may be dawning and it all starts here in detroit aldridge poter is the youngest player in the field but his power is unmatched he’s one of the longest hitters on the pga tour launching drives that turn heads this power comes from a childhood spent playing many sports not just golf rugby taught him toughness and strength javelin built his coordination and explosive movement these sports gave him a physical edge and a competitive mindset his golf swing is a blend of athleticism and technique using his whole body to generate speed years of multiport training made him a complete athlete not just a golfer he learned to compete to win and to handle defeat rugby taught teamwork track and field taught self-reliance golf demands both and aldrich brings that balance to every round his mental toughness matches his physical power when faced with a tough shot he draws on his diverse background to stay calm and focused his length off the tea is a huge weapon giving him more chances for birdies he’s still getting stronger and his game is only improving every drive over 330 yards is a reminder of his unique journey he’s not just a golfer he’s a powerhouse his youth and athleticism are changing the game aldridge poter is redefining what it means to be a young star on tour watch out he’s just getting started aldridge poter’s rise to the pga tour was nothing short of meteoric in 2022 he won the amateur championship one of the world’s most prestigious amateur events that victory opened doors to major championships like the open the us open and the masters competing against the world’s best gave him invaluable experience after his amateur success he turned professional and joined the cornferryy tour in his very first start he won an extraordinary achievement that win proved he belonged in professional golf he quickly earned enough points to secure his pga tour card just after his 20th birthday many golfers spend years chasing that dream aldridge did it in less than a year his rapid ascent is a testament to his talent and determination he wasn’t intimidated by the challenge he embraced it now he’s a full member of the pga tour living his dream his journey from british amateur champion to pga tour contender is inspiring he seized every opportunity proving himself at every level in detroit he’s showing he can compete and win on the biggest stage his story is proof that with skill and hard work anything is possible aldridge poter is a rising star and his journey is just beginning the golf world is watching his every move the fast track has led him here to the brink of greatness saturday at detroit golf club was moving day and aldrich potter made the biggest move of all starting a few shots back he played with purpose and fire the conditions were perfect and he took full advantage his third round was a masterclass in aggressive confident golf shooting a stunning nine under 63 he vaulted to the top of the leaderboard his round combined powerful drives with precise iron play on parfs his length gave him easy birdie and eagle chances his approach shots were dialed in setting up short putts confidence grew with every hole the highlight a soaring long iron on 14 landing just feet from the pin for eagle the crowd erupted this was a star in the making by day end everyone was talking about the young south african his 63 was one of the tournament’s best a statement to the field he turned a good week into a great one with one incredible round now he leads heading into sunday with a chance at his first pga tour title the stage is set for a thrilling finish the key to aldrich pager’s third round was a blistering stretch on the front nine it began on the fourth hole with a birdie then another on five and another on six momentum built quickly he was in the zone on the seventh a long par five he unleashed a massive drive and set up another birdie the crowd buzzed as he made it four in a row on the eighth a tricky par three he hit the green and rolled in his fifth straight birdie in just five holes he rocketed up the leaderboard this birdie barrage changed the tournament’s complexion while others made one or two birdies he made them in bunches that’s what separates good players from great ones every part of his game was firing driving irons putting even after the streak he kept the pressure on adding an eagle on 14 and a birdie on 17 but it was those five straight birdies that defined his day that run was the foundation of his 63 and his lead he showed the world he’s not just a long hitter he’s a true scorer the ability to go low is essential for winning on tour on saturday aldrich proved he has it in abundance he seized control of the rocket mortgage classic with fearless play now he stands at top the leaderboard ready for the final test the golf world is watching to see if he can finish the job leading a pga tour event brings immense pressure on sunday aldrich podgeer will feel it especially with stars like colin morawa chasing him morakawa a proven major champion is known for his worldclass iron play other experienced winners are close behind ready to capitalize on any mistake as the leader aldrich is the target every shot is magnified the crowds will be huge the atmosphere electric he must stay focused blocking out distractions and sticking to his game plan the final round is a battle of nerves who can execute under the most intense pressure aldrich has shown he has the game now he must prove he has the mind of a champion the dream is within reach but the challenge is greater than ever this isn’t aldrich potter’s first time near the lead on sunday earlier this season he’s been in contention learning from each high pressure moment every close call has taught him about nerves focus and the razor thin margin for error on tour he’s learned that a single swing or missed putt can decide everything these experiences have prepared him for this moment in detroit he knows what to expect the fast heartbeat the nervous energy he’s learned from past mistakes adjusting his strategy and decision-making every tournament has been a building block for this opportunity winning on tour is a process few succeed on their first try aldrich has felt the heat and grown stronger for it now he’s ready to take the next step he’s no longer just a rookie he’s a contender who’s learned from the past sunday is his chance to put those lessons to the test the final round is the ultimate test of skill strategy and nerve aldrich potgeer holds a slim lead with 18 holes to play a win would change everything exemptions major invites and a place among golf’s elite he must balance aggression with caution relying on his strengths long drives and sharp putting every shot matters every putt is crucial the challenge is immense but so is the reward this is the moment every young golfer dreams of aldrich’s journey has led him here now he must control his nerves and trust his game the world is watching to see if he can seize his moment the next few hours will define his future no matter the outcome aldrich potgeer has announced himself to the golf world his performance in detroit is a coming out party for a new generation young athletic fearless he’s inspired by legends but he’s forging his own path his story from south africa to the pga tour is already remarkable he’s faced challenges seized opportunities and inspired young golfers everywhere aldrich represents the future of the game powerful confident and global this week is just the beginning he stands on the edge of greatness ready to write the first chapter of a long career whether he lifts the trophy or not he’s made his mark the golf world is watching a new star rise forged in the southern hemisphere shining in detroit the dawn of the aldrich potter era is here and it’s going to be thrilling to
