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Potgieter won a PGA Tour title at age 20. |
Early blooming talent
At the age of 20, Aldrich Potgieter did something rare in the career of a professional golfer: won his first PGA Tour title.
And he did it in unforgettable fashion, with a birdie putt from 18 feet, his fists clenched and a roar like a volcano erupting, as if to announce to the golf world : a new phenomenon has emerged.
“It was a very tough day,” Potgieter said after beating Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk over five holes in a play-off. “I didn’t start well, I had a lot of weak drives, a lot of bad putts. But when the ball started rolling, I knew it was going to go in.”
Potgieter’s Rocket Classic win was no surprise. Potgieter’s talent was evident as a young boy, to the point where his family decided to leave South Africa for Australia in search of a better environment and opportunity to pursue their son’s golf dreams. It was a bold and visionary trade-off.
At 17, Potgieter won the 2022 British Amateur, becoming the second-youngest champion in the tournament's history. A year later, he made the cut at the 2023 US Open while still an amateur. He then turned professional and won the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, becoming the youngest champion in Korn Ferry Tour history.
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Potgieter's emotional outburst. |
Unmistakable style
What makes Potgieter special is not just his achievements, but the way he competes. In an era where strength is the dominant factor, Potgieter emerged with a “monster” physique, standing 1m80 tall and weighing over 90kg.
As a result, his swing sends the ball flying at incredible speeds. Every time he tees off, fans feel like the "laws of physics" of golf are being challenged.
But Potgieter’s first season on the PGA Tour was filled with lows. He finished second at the 2025 Mexican Open when Brian Campbell had a lucky shot that bounced off a tree into the fairway for a dramatic win; then finished T6 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. The signs seemed to suggest he was ready to step into the spotlight.
However, the statistics ahead of the Rocket Classic revealed a harsh truth: Potgieter was cut in 9 of 13 tournaments, his approach play was ranked 141st, and his short game even dropped to 161st. It turns out that superior strength is still not enough if the rest of his skill set is still unfinished.
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Potgieter wins dramatic playoff against Greyserman. |
Magical Detroit Night
Detroit Golf Club became a test of Potgieter's perfection. He entered the final round with a two-stroke lead over five direct competitors and a large group behind him ready to close.
On the thrilling final day, the scoreboard kept changing, with 12 golfers separated by just two strokes at one point. After 72 intense holes, Potgieter, Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk shared the lead with a total score of -22, forcing the match into a three-way playoff.
On the first playoff hole (par-4 18th), all three pared. On the second playoff hole (par-3 15th), Kirk was out of the game when a seemingly simple 5-foot putt wobbled and stopped. Greyserman and Potgieter, with pars tied, set up a three-hole "tit-for-tat" chase.
After two more playoff holes that were still tied, on the fifth playoff hole (par 3 15th), Greyserman's putt just touched the edge of the hole and... stopped. The opportunity opened up and Potgieter did not miss it. He successfully made a cool birdie putt from 18 feet to bring home his first PGA Tour victory.
The young South African talent clenched his fists and roared as if in release. The days of waiting, the sacrifices of his family, the times he collapsed at the gates of heaven, all were released in a moment.
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Potgieter hugged his father - Mr. Heinrich - emotionally. |
The future is wide open
Winning in Detroit was not just a title, it was the result of a journey. Potgieter never forgot that: “My family sacrificed a lot, leaving South Africa for Australia, then coming back. Migration was not easy. After coming to America, I had to work on my own to pursue my career."
"My dad being here this week gives me a lot of strength. I'm grateful to everyone: my family, my friends, my coach, everyone who helped me get here today. I can only say that I'm happy to leave the field as a champion," Potgieter said emotionally.
When the match ended, the first thing Potgieter did was run to hug his father, Heinrich, who was looking at his son with pride in his eyes. A hug that was a thousand words of thanks for sacrificing everything for him to pursue his dream.
It’s too early to tell how far Potgieter’s future will take him. But one thing is clear: the golf world has a new name to look forward to.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/cu-gat-dinh-menh-tai-detroit-dua-tai-nang-tre-aldrich-potgieter-buoc-ra-anh-sang-post1756052.tpo
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