Aldrich Potgeiter - ARRIVAL!

Jun 29, 2025 - Aldrich Potgieter’s breakthrough win at the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic had everything: youthful swagger, big drives, and one seriously dramatic playoff finish.

The 20-year-old South African, just 20 years and 9 months old, became the youngest PGA Tour winner this season by outlasting Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk in a wild five-hole playoff, the longest of the year so far. It all ended on the par-3 15th when Potgieter finally drained an 18-foot birdie, capping an epic duel and securing his first career PGA Tour title.

But it wasn’t smooth sailing. Potgieter started Sunday with a two-shot lead but found himself in a tight shootout all afternoon. He rallied with clutch birdies at 13 and 14 after falling behind, but a bogey on 15 brought the field back together, eventually forcing the playoff.

Once in sudden death, nerves took over. Kirk missed a 9-footer to win on the first hole, then three-putted to exit on the second. Potgieter and Greyserman traded near-misses across the next three holes before Potgieter’s big moment arrived.

His massive 326-yard average driving distance, including a 361-yard bomb in the playoff, gave him a crucial edge throughout the week. Meanwhile, Greyserman missed multiple chances, including a 12-footer on 18 that would’ve won in regulation.

In the end, Potgieter’s composure, clutch putting, and power off the tee proved too much. This playoff win was also a bit of a redemption as earlier this year Potgeiter lost in a playoff showdown to Brian Campbell at the 2025 Mexico Open.  This win marks an arrival of a new young stud on the Tour and I look forward to seeing what he does next!

5 FUN GOLFER FACTS ABOUT THE 2025 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC

• This is POTGIETER'S 1st PGA win in his 20th start at the age of 20 years, 9 months and 16 days

• With this win coming at the age of 20 years old, this puts Potgieter as the 9th youngest Tour winner since the start of the 1983 season; the youngest winner is Jordan Spieth at the age of 19 years, 11 months and 17 days

• Potgieter is the 9th first time winner this season and the 2nd rookie winner this year; the other rookie winner is Karl Vilips who won  at the 2025 Puerto Rico Open

• Potgieter also becomes just the 2nd International winner at the Rocket Classic; the other winner was Cam Davis from Australia who won in 2021 and 2024

• The two previous playoffs at the Rocket Classic also featured 3 players - 2021 - Cam Davis defeated Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann; 2023 - Ricki Fowler defeated Adam Hadwin and Collin Morikawa.

4 FUN GOLFER FACTS ABOUT ALDRICH POTGIETER

• Aldrich is a long ball hitter - he led the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024 with an average of 336.5 yards per drive; and as of mid-2025 leads the PGA at 326.6 yards per drive

• Aldrich attended the Louis Oosthuizen Junior Golf Academy when he was just a young boy

• In a Monday qualifier for the 2023 John Deer Classic, Potgieter hit a rare Par-4 Hole-in-one

• By the age of 11, Potgieter had already become the Australian national champion in wrestling; yes you read that right...wrestling