Potgieter's Moment

A moment taken from the young champ has been returned.

I watch Sunday’s play unfold from my in-laws’ living room.

Just me, my dog, and my nephew watch a six-man race whittle down to three, as Max Greyersman, Chris Kirk, and Aldrich Potgieter trudge through a 5-hole playoff.

Winning putts missing by inches, tournament-saving putts finding center cup… The final hole and each playoff hole thereafter provided plenty of drama.

Redeeming his unfortunate playoff finish at the Vidanta Mexico Open, Aldrich Potgieter (POT-GEE-TUR) wins with a birdie on the par-3 fifteenth hole, becoming one of the youngest PGA Tour winners ever.

Watching the 18-footer drop was a relief for Potgieter and for viewers everywhere not devoutly rooting for Max Greyersman.

The winner of $1.728 Million (click link for the money list) has more than solidified his position among the game’s best, and certainly among the golfers to watch out for in years to come.

Who is Aldrich Potgieter?

The 20-year old South African turned pro two years ago. Before moving to the states to pursue his golf career, he spent time growing up in Perth, Australia before moving back to South Africa during the pandemic. He’s since been in the states, joined by his father, who he’s mentioned has been a tremendous help.

You could see the investment the father had in his son’s success. On camera, you could tell he wasn’t a nervous wreck for his son… he was calm, enjoying his son being on the biggest stage, in the biggest moment.

Sure, an outburst of relief after a made putt or the fatherly sigh after a missed one may have escaped from time to time — but that’s just golf.

It takes a magical mix of talent and discipline to get to the PGA Tour, much less win on it. And to do it at the age of 20 shows his relentless pursuit of championship.

One word I’d use to describe him: beyond his years, poise. From his clutch putts to his calm and collected post-win interview… poise.

It doesn’t hurt that he puts his 330+ yard drives into the fairway far more often than not.

The Redemption of the Rocket Classic

To understand the redemptive feel of this win, you have to know what happened at the Mexico Open in February.

Potgieter and Brian Campbell both birdied the eighteenth on Sunday, sending them into a two-man playoff.

Both parred the first playoff hole. On the second, Potgieter did what he could, starting with a beautiful drive off the tee.

Brian Campbell, on the other hand, yanked his tee shot right (way right). The kind of miss that should’ve ended his playoff chances.

But the ball didn’t stay right. It found a tree — and the tree spat it back out.

This ball was headed out of bounds, but suddenly, the hole was his again. Campbell chipped close. Birdied. Won.

Even when it seemed that Campbell should have been putting for bogey, Potgieter’s par wasn’t enough.

This only makes Potgieter’s grueling 5-hole playoff victory this weekend so much sweeter.

A Bright Future

It seems Aldrich Potgieter has much winning ahead of him.

He now stands at No. 36 in the FedEx Cup standings, and he’s just getting started.

Cheers to the young man!

— Luke Mangan