PGA Tour's youngest player getting it done in Detroit
Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete.
Potgieter is about to face another test.
The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit.
"The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday.
The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood.
"I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said.
"Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation."
Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind.
Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift.
"Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
"I want to find a way to get it done."
In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels.
He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007.
While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition.
Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine.
He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars.
"That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said.
"A lot of par saves on this back nine."
Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under.
With AAP.
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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
PGA Tour's youngest player getting it done in Detroit
Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. Potgieter is about to face another test. The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit. "The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday. The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood. "I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said. "Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation." Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind. Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift. "Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan. "I want to find a way to get it done." In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels. He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007. While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition. Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine. He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars. "That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said. "A lot of par saves on this back nine." Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under. With AAP. Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. Potgieter is about to face another test. The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit. "The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday. The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood. "I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said. "Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation." Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind. Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift. "Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan. "I want to find a way to get it done." In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels. He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007. While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition. Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine. He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars. "That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said. "A lot of par saves on this back nine." Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under. With AAP. Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. Potgieter is about to face another test. The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit. "The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday. The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood. "I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said. "Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation." Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind. Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift. "Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan. "I want to find a way to get it done." In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels. He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007. While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition. Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine. He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars. "That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said. "A lot of par saves on this back nine." Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under. With AAP. Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. Potgieter is about to face another test. The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit. "The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday. The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood. "I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said. "Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation." Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind. Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift. "Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan. "I want to find a way to get it done." In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels. He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007. While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition. Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine. He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars. "That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said. "A lot of par saves on this back nine." Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under. With AAP.
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
PGA Tour's youngest player getting it done in Detroit
Aldrich Potgieter, standing on the practice green at Detroit Golf Club, said the most challenging part of his life was moving to Australia when he was eight and returning to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. Potgieter is about to face another test. The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit. "The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday. The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood. "I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said. "Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation." Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind. Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift. "Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan. "I want to find a way to get it done." In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels. He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007. While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition. Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine. He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars. "That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said. "A lot of par saves on this back nine." Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under. With AAP.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Knapp breaks record, Aussie Endycott in the PGA mix
Jake Knapp has pulled off a feat no one else has in PGA Tour history. Knapp shot an 11-under 61 on Friday to break a Rocket Classic record that stood for less than a day and became the first on the tour to break 60 and shoot a 61 or lower in the same season. But that still wasn't enough to put him in the top six, entering the weekend at Detroit Golf Club. Chris Kirk (65), Philip Knowles (64) and Andrew Putnam (66) share the second-round lead at 14 under. Jackson Suber (65) was another shot back. Aldrich Potgieter, who had a 70 after sharing the 18-hole lead with Kevin Roy after a record-setting 62, was two strokes back with Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Mark Hubbard (69). Knapp was in a large pack of players, including Australian Harrison Endycott (66), Collin Morikawa (64), Hideki Matsuyama (66) and Roy (71), three shots off the lead going into the third round. Endycott followed his opening 67 with a bogey-free six-under 66. The 29-year-old Sydneysider made three birdies on each nine, including going back-to-back on 13 and 14. The 31-year-old Knapp, who won the Mexico Open last year as a rookie, started the second round 130th in the 156-player field after opening with a 72. He surged into contention with nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round. "I was just probably upset all night and this morning, so I think that maybe helped a little bit," he said. Knapp, ranked No.99 in the world, is the only player on the tour to shoot 61 or better in two rounds this season. He shot a 59 - one off the tour scoring record of 58 set by Jim Furyk in 2016 - at the Cognizant Classic four months ago, when he broke the tournament scoring record before cooling off and tying for sixth. Knapp broke the 18-hole record at Detroit Golf Club that was set Thursday in the first round when Potgieter and Roy both shot a 62. "I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," Knapp said. "I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last hole." The 28-year-old Knowles, shooting for his first PGA Tour win, made the cut for just the third time in 11 events after failing to make it to the weekend at five straight tournaments. "It's not been my best year thus far by any stretch of the imagination, but golf is funny," he said. "When you're playing bad, you never feel like you're going to play good again. And when you have days like today, you just don't understand how you could ever shoot a bad round of golf." Min Woo Lee, the first to break the course record with a 63 on Thursday, made 73 on Friday to tumble down the field to tied 36th. He made the six-under cut by two, but Aaron Baddeley (71,73), Cam Davis (74, 70) and Karl Vilips (71,74) will all miss the weekend action. Jake Knapp has pulled off a feat no one else has in PGA Tour history. Knapp shot an 11-under 61 on Friday to break a Rocket Classic record that stood for less than a day and became the first on the tour to break 60 and shoot a 61 or lower in the same season. But that still wasn't enough to put him in the top six, entering the weekend at Detroit Golf Club. Chris Kirk (65), Philip Knowles (64) and Andrew Putnam (66) share the second-round lead at 14 under. Jackson Suber (65) was another shot back. Aldrich Potgieter, who had a 70 after sharing the 18-hole lead with Kevin Roy after a record-setting 62, was two strokes back with Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Mark Hubbard (69). Knapp was in a large pack of players, including Australian Harrison Endycott (66), Collin Morikawa (64), Hideki Matsuyama (66) and Roy (71), three shots off the lead going into the third round. Endycott followed his opening 67 with a bogey-free six-under 66. The 29-year-old Sydneysider made three birdies on each nine, including going back-to-back on 13 and 14. The 31-year-old Knapp, who won the Mexico Open last year as a rookie, started the second round 130th in the 156-player field after opening with a 72. He surged into contention with nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round. "I was just probably upset all night and this morning, so I think that maybe helped a little bit," he said. Knapp, ranked No.99 in the world, is the only player on the tour to shoot 61 or better in two rounds this season. He shot a 59 - one off the tour scoring record of 58 set by Jim Furyk in 2016 - at the Cognizant Classic four months ago, when he broke the tournament scoring record before cooling off and tying for sixth. Knapp broke the 18-hole record at Detroit Golf Club that was set Thursday in the first round when Potgieter and Roy both shot a 62. "I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," Knapp said. "I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last hole." The 28-year-old Knowles, shooting for his first PGA Tour win, made the cut for just the third time in 11 events after failing to make it to the weekend at five straight tournaments. "It's not been my best year thus far by any stretch of the imagination, but golf is funny," he said. "When you're playing bad, you never feel like you're going to play good again. And when you have days like today, you just don't understand how you could ever shoot a bad round of golf." Min Woo Lee, the first to break the course record with a 63 on Thursday, made 73 on Friday to tumble down the field to tied 36th. He made the six-under cut by two, but Aaron Baddeley (71,73), Cam Davis (74, 70) and Karl Vilips (71,74) will all miss the weekend action. Jake Knapp has pulled off a feat no one else has in PGA Tour history. Knapp shot an 11-under 61 on Friday to break a Rocket Classic record that stood for less than a day and became the first on the tour to break 60 and shoot a 61 or lower in the same season. But that still wasn't enough to put him in the top six, entering the weekend at Detroit Golf Club. Chris Kirk (65), Philip Knowles (64) and Andrew Putnam (66) share the second-round lead at 14 under. Jackson Suber (65) was another shot back. Aldrich Potgieter, who had a 70 after sharing the 18-hole lead with Kevin Roy after a record-setting 62, was two strokes back with Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Mark Hubbard (69). Knapp was in a large pack of players, including Australian Harrison Endycott (66), Collin Morikawa (64), Hideki Matsuyama (66) and Roy (71), three shots off the lead going into the third round. Endycott followed his opening 67 with a bogey-free six-under 66. The 29-year-old Sydneysider made three birdies on each nine, including going back-to-back on 13 and 14. The 31-year-old Knapp, who won the Mexico Open last year as a rookie, started the second round 130th in the 156-player field after opening with a 72. He surged into contention with nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round. "I was just probably upset all night and this morning, so I think that maybe helped a little bit," he said. Knapp, ranked No.99 in the world, is the only player on the tour to shoot 61 or better in two rounds this season. He shot a 59 - one off the tour scoring record of 58 set by Jim Furyk in 2016 - at the Cognizant Classic four months ago, when he broke the tournament scoring record before cooling off and tying for sixth. Knapp broke the 18-hole record at Detroit Golf Club that was set Thursday in the first round when Potgieter and Roy both shot a 62. "I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," Knapp said. "I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last hole." The 28-year-old Knowles, shooting for his first PGA Tour win, made the cut for just the third time in 11 events after failing to make it to the weekend at five straight tournaments. "It's not been my best year thus far by any stretch of the imagination, but golf is funny," he said. "When you're playing bad, you never feel like you're going to play good again. And when you have days like today, you just don't understand how you could ever shoot a bad round of golf." Min Woo Lee, the first to break the course record with a 63 on Thursday, made 73 on Friday to tumble down the field to tied 36th. He made the six-under cut by two, but Aaron Baddeley (71,73), Cam Davis (74, 70) and Karl Vilips (71,74) will all miss the weekend action. Jake Knapp has pulled off a feat no one else has in PGA Tour history. Knapp shot an 11-under 61 on Friday to break a Rocket Classic record that stood for less than a day and became the first on the tour to break 60 and shoot a 61 or lower in the same season. But that still wasn't enough to put him in the top six, entering the weekend at Detroit Golf Club. Chris Kirk (65), Philip Knowles (64) and Andrew Putnam (66) share the second-round lead at 14 under. Jackson Suber (65) was another shot back. Aldrich Potgieter, who had a 70 after sharing the 18-hole lead with Kevin Roy after a record-setting 62, was two strokes back with Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Mark Hubbard (69). Knapp was in a large pack of players, including Australian Harrison Endycott (66), Collin Morikawa (64), Hideki Matsuyama (66) and Roy (71), three shots off the lead going into the third round. Endycott followed his opening 67 with a bogey-free six-under 66. The 29-year-old Sydneysider made three birdies on each nine, including going back-to-back on 13 and 14. The 31-year-old Knapp, who won the Mexico Open last year as a rookie, started the second round 130th in the 156-player field after opening with a 72. He surged into contention with nine birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round. "I was just probably upset all night and this morning, so I think that maybe helped a little bit," he said. Knapp, ranked No.99 in the world, is the only player on the tour to shoot 61 or better in two rounds this season. He shot a 59 - one off the tour scoring record of 58 set by Jim Furyk in 2016 - at the Cognizant Classic four months ago, when he broke the tournament scoring record before cooling off and tying for sixth. Knapp broke the 18-hole record at Detroit Golf Club that was set Thursday in the first round when Potgieter and Roy both shot a 62. "I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," Knapp said. "I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last hole." The 28-year-old Knowles, shooting for his first PGA Tour win, made the cut for just the third time in 11 events after failing to make it to the weekend at five straight tournaments. "It's not been my best year thus far by any stretch of the imagination, but golf is funny," he said. "When you're playing bad, you never feel like you're going to play good again. And when you have days like today, you just don't understand how you could ever shoot a bad round of golf." Min Woo Lee, the first to break the course record with a 63 on Thursday, made 73 on Friday to tumble down the field to tied 36th. He made the six-under cut by two, but Aaron Baddeley (71,73), Cam Davis (74, 70) and Karl Vilips (71,74) will all miss the weekend action.
