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Aldrich Potgieter celebrates his victory at the Rocket Classic

AGAINST all odds, South African golf prodigy Aldrich Potgieter etched his name into the history books with a thrilling victory at the Rocket Classic in Detroit, Michigan USA, over the weekend.

The 20-year-old former rugby player and wrestler held his nerve in a gruelling five-hole play-off, ultimately sinking an 18-foot birdie to edge out Max Greyserman (and earlier, Chris Kirk), becoming the youngest South African ever to win on the PGA Tour.

The win at Detroit Golf Club also marks his first PGA Tour title, a milestone in what promises to be a remarkable career. “It was a big grind. It was a very long day. I kind of couldn’t get ahead of myself. I didn’t get off to the best start,” Potgieter reflected. Potgieter began the tournament with a dazzling, bogey-free 10-under-par 62, featuring eight birdies and an eagle on the par-five 17th. He followed up with a two-under 70 in the second round, recording four birdies and two bogeys. In round three, he impressed again with a bogey-free 65, and entered the final day with a two-shot lead at 19-under-par. Though he briefly lost that lead, he clawed his way back into contention, finishing with a three-under 69 (six birdies, three bogeys) to tie at 22-under-par 266, forcing a play-off. In a tense battle, Potgieter showed nerves of steel to claim victory, a moment that signalled both talent and tenacity. Currently the youngest player on the PGA Tour, Potgieter also leads the field in driving distance, averaging over 326 yards off the tee. He is now the ninth player to secure a maiden PGA Tour win this season.

Already a familiar name in elite amateur golf, Potgieter won the British Amateur Championship at 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year. His rapid ascent saw him earn a PGA Tour card shortly after turning 20, the second-youngest ever to do so, after Jason Day, who achieved the feat at 19 in 2007.