Aldrich Potgieter Makes History with First PGA Tour Win at Rocket Classic
What a weekend it was in Detroit! The Rocket Classic 2025 turned into one of the most thrilling showdowns we've seen on the PGA Tour in recent memory, and the spotlight belonged to none other than 20-year-old South African phenom, Aldrich Potgieter. With nerves of steel and a swing that defies his age, Potgieter outlasted Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk in a dramatic five-hole playoff to clinch his first-ever PGA Tour victory—and believe me, it was anything but ordinary.
Now, let’s set the stage. Potgieter came into the final round at the Detroit Golf Club holding a slim two-shot lead. He shot a 3-under 69, which kept him tied at 22-under with Greyserman and Kirk after 72 holes. And that’s where things got wild. All three had chances to seal it in regulation—missed birdie putts from Greyserman and Potgieter on the final hole left the door wide open. Then Kirk had a golden opportunity, standing over a nine-footer for the win… and pushed it. That miss sent us into the season’s longest playoff yet.
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On the second playoff hole, Kirk again had a close-range chance—just four feet!—and again, heartbreak, as he missed and was eliminated. From there, it was a mano a mano duel between Potgieter and Greyserman, trading close calls and monster drives, including a 361-yard bomb from Greyserman. But when the playoff circled back to the par-3 15th, Potgieter finally delivered. An 18-foot birdie putt dropped, and just like that, history was made.
Potgieter walked away with a $1.728 million payday from the $9.6 million purse, while Greyserman and Kirk each earned $854,200. But more than the money, this win solidifies Potgieter’s status as a rising star—he's now the youngest player on tour and arguably its most powerful off the tee. This victory marks his arrival, not just as a big hitter, but as a closer.
It's not often you witness the birth of a new force in the game, but that’s exactly what we saw at the Rocket Classic. Potgieter didn’t just win a trophy—he announced himself to the world. And if this weekend is any indication, it’s only the beginning.
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