Latest news with #Greyserman
Observer
2 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Potgieter wins playoff on 5th hole for Detroit title
WASHINGTON: South African Aldrich Potgieter sank a birdie putt from just inside 18 feet on the fifth playoff hole to win the Rocket Classic for his first US PGA Tour title. The 20-year-old grabbed the victory in just his 20th PGA start, beating American Max Greyserman in the hour-long playoff drama after American Chris Kirk had been eliminated on the second extra hole. The playoff had returned to the par-three 15th at Detroit golf Club for the second time in the playoff when Potgieter, who had missed winning putts on the two prior extra holes, sank the winning putt after Greyserman missed a 34-foot birdie putt. "Finally got one to the hole and saw the ball roll end over end and just knew it was going to go in," Potgieter said. "I'm just happy to walk away as a winner." Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67 and 54-hole leader Potgieter fired a 69 to finish deadlocked after 72 holes on 22-under 266. Potgieter made two bogeys in the first five holes but battled back with birdies on three of the last six holes and a clutch five-foot par putt at 18 to make the playoff. "It was definitely a tough day," Potgieter said. "The start didn't go my way. I struggled to make putts, left a lot short." All three birdied the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th, and at the first extra playing of the 15th, all three missed their birdie putts but Kirk missed his par effort from just inside four feet to drop out. "Just really disappointed right now," six-time PGA winner Kirk said. "I'm really happy with how I played. Just mis-read that last putt." Potgieter and Greyserman both parred the par-four 16th and birdied the par-five 14th to set up the close, which made Potgieter the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour. "Big thanks to my family and friends, coaches and everyone who has been involved to get me to this point," Potgieter said, noting his family's sacrifice for his career. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back. Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind — having my dad here has helped so much." Greyserman, twice a PGA runner-up last year, will have to wait longer for a breakthrough triumph. "Unfortunately I didn't get the job done," he said. "I thought I hit a lot of good shots down the stretch. Very pleased with how I handled myself down the stretch. "Putts just didn't drop but I hit a lot of good putts. This one is going to sting for a little bit but I'll have to get back to work." Potgieter's best prior PGA finish was a Mexico Open playoff loss to American Brian Campbell in February. Americans Michael Thorbjornsen and Jake Knapp shared fourth on 267. — AFP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
20-year-old Aldrich Potgieter, youngest player on Tour, sinks long birdie putt on 5th playoff hole to secure his first PGA Tour win at Rocket Classic
Aldrich Potgieter, the youngest player on the PGA Tour, picked up his first Tour victory Sunday at 20 years old in dramatic fashion and secured a life-changing payday in the process. After 72 holes at the Rocket Classic, Potgieter remained tied with Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk atop the leaderboard at 22 under par. They didn't settle a winner until five more holes were played. Advertisement The threesome each played the par-4 18th to par on the first hole of the sudden-death playoff. Kirk bowed out with a bogey at the par-3 15th as Greyserman and Potgieter parred. Greyserman and Potgieter then parred the par-4 16th before posting matching birdies on the par-5 14th. Then they returned to the 158-yard 15th, the shortest hole on the North Course course at the Detroit Golf Club. Potgieter hit a 9-iron on the green, roughly 18 feet from the hole. Greyserman also hit 9-iron onto the green that stopped about 10 feet behind Potgieter's ball. Greyserman putted first, and his ball rolled just past the left side of the hole. Potgieter took advantage of watching Greyserman's putt and the opportunity. His putt was pure from contact and rolled straight into the center of the hole. "I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter told CBS of a day in which he left multiple putts short. "I just saw the ball roll over end over end and I just knew that it was gonna go in." Advertisement Potgieter entered Sunday with a two-stroke lead over the field while playing in the final group with Greyserman. Both Greyserman and Kirk caught up with final rounds of 5-under 67. Potgieter shot a 69, but ultimately prevailed in the playoff holes. The putt secured Potgieter's first PGA victory and a $1.728 million payday that was more than double Greyserman's $854,200 payout for finishing in a second-place tie. The payout added a significant boost to Potgieter's career PGA Tour earnings, which stood at $1.98 million prior to his victory on Sunday. The win marked the third top-10 finish for Potgieter and bested his previous best result of a second-place finish at the Mexico Open in February that paid him $763,000. Advertisement Potgieter appears to be a rising star in the sport after turning professional at age 18 in 2023. He became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year at age 19 when he claimed victory at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. This year, he leads the Tour in average driving distance at 326.6 yards, ahead of No. 2 Rory McIlroy's 320 yards. The victory this week also put him in some rare company. A South Africa native, Potgieter is just the fifth player not from the United States to secure his first PGA Tour victory before turning 21 in the last 100 years. Rory McIlroy, Seve Ballesteros, Joaquin Niemann and Tom Kim are the others.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
South African Aldrich Potgieter wins play-off on fifth hole for Rocket Classic title
Aldrich Potgieter of South Africa celebrating after winning the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 29, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON – South African Aldrich Potgieter sank a birdie putt from just inside 18 feet on the fifth play-off hole to win the Rocket Classic for his first PGA Tour title. The 20-year-old grabbed the victory on just his 20th PGA start, beating American Max Greyserman in the hour-long play-off drama after American Chris Kirk had been eliminated on the second extra hole. The play-off had returned to the par-three 15th at Detroit Golf Club for the second time in the play-off when Potgieter, who had missed winning putts on the two previous extra holes, sank the winning putt after Greyserman missed a 34-foot birdie putt. 'Finally got one to the hole and saw the ball roll end over end and just knew it was going to go in,' Potgieter said. 'I'm just happy to walk away as a winner.' Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67 and 54-hole leader Potgieter fired a 69 to finish deadlocked after 72 holes on 22-under 266. Potgieter made two bogeys in the first five holes but battled back with birdies on three of the last six holes and a clutch five-foot par putt at 18 to make the play-off. 'It was definitely a tough day,' Potgieter said. 'The start didn't go my way. I struggled to make putts, left a lot short.' All three birdied the first play-off hole, the par-four 18th, and at the first extra playing of the 15th, all three missed their birdie putts but Kirk missed his par effort from just inside four feet to drop out. 'Just really disappointed right now,' six-time PGA winner Kirk said. 'I'm really happy with how I played. Just mis-read that last putt.' Potgieter and Greyserman both parred the par-four 16th and birdied the par-five 14th to set up the close, which made Potgieter the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour. 'Big thanks to my family and friends, coaches and everyone who has been involved to get me to this point,' Potgieter said, noting his family's sacrifice for his career. 'We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back. Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind – having my dad here has helped so much.' Greyserman, twice a PGA runner-up in 2024, will have to wait longer for a breakthrough triumph. 'Unfortunately, I didn't get the job done,' he said. 'I thought I hit a lot of good shots down the stretch. Very pleased with how I handled myself down the stretch. 'Putts just didn't drop but I hit a lot of good putts. This one is going to sting for a little bit but I'll have to get back to work.' Potgieter's previous best PGA finish was a Mexico Open play-off loss to American Brian Campbell in February. Americans Michael Thorbjornsen and Jake Knapp shared fourth on 267. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Aldrich Potgieter, 20, wins golf's Rocket Classic in five-hole playoff
As a gruelling playoff unfolded in the Rocket Classic, South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter was determined to have enough pace on what became the final putt Sunday. Potgieter drained an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to secure his first PGA Tour victory by winning the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club. 'Struggled to make putts. Left a lot short,' Potgieter said. 'Finally got one to the hole.' Potgieter outlasted Max Greyserman in an extended playoff that began with three golfers. Chris Kirk's bogey on the second playoff hole cost him a chance and reduced the playoff to two golfers. Potgieter, a big-hitting 20-year-old, began the tournament with a 62 on Thursday and ended up with the biggest prize. He is the youngest South African to win on tour. 'Big thanks to my family, friends, coaches, everyone who has been involved to kind of get me to this point,' Potgieter said. The trio of Potgieter, Greyserman and Kirk finished 72 holes at 22-under-par 266. FOR THE WIN! Aldrich Potgieter gets it done on the FIFTH playoff hole @RocketClassic. — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 29, 2025 'This one is going to sting a little bit,' Greyserman said. Potgieter, who became the seventh-youngest PGA Tour winner since 1983, and Greyserman both had birdies on the par-5 14th hole — the fourth stop in the playoff — before Potgieter sank the winning putt on the par-3 15th hole. Kirk and Greyserman shot final-round 5-under-par 67s and Potgieter, who was the first- and third-round leader, had 69. Kirk had the best chance on the first playoff hole, but he was off the mark on a birdie putt of slightly more than 9 feet. 'It's a shame that first playoff hole,' Kirk said. 'Hit just three perfect shots and I misread that putt a little bit. That's the way it goes sometimes.' Greyserman missed from 11 feet on the second extra hole before Kirk was eliminated with a three-putt bogey moments later. 'Just really disappointed right now,' Kirk said. 'Felt like I played great today. I'm happy with the way I played.' Greyserman, ranked 48th in the world entering this week, remains without a PGA Tour victory. He has four runner-up finishes. 'Maybe I'm a Lions fan now!' Aldrich Potgieter won Detroit's Rocket Classic, handling the pressure of a dramatic five-hole playoff. The 20-year old rookie played the pro-am with four Lions, and is now forever a part of Detroit sports history himself. — Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 30, 2025 'Unfortunately, I didn't get the job done,' Greyserman said. 'Thought I hit a lot of good shots down the stretch. Very pleased with how I handled myself down the stretch.' It was a bogey-free round for Greyserman, who missed a birdie putt from just inside 12 feet on the final hole that would have given him the victory. He made birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to rise into a share of the lead. Except for a birdie on No. 17, Kirk posted par on seven of his last eight holes in regulation. It was a crowded leaderboard for the entire day. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) shared fourth place at 21 under. Jackson Suber (68) and Colombia's Nico Echavarria (66) tied for sixth at 20 under. By late afternoon, there were 26 golfers within three shots of the lead. After Potgieter and Greyserman made the turn as the final pairing, there were several fewer so close to the top, but still more than a dozen — with more than half of those golfers still on the course. Echavarria played the final seven holes in 4 under to match his first-round 66. Harry Higgs and Akshay Bhatia had 65s for the best scores of the last round, finishing at 16 under and 15 under, respectively.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Young gun survives epic playoff for first PGA success
Aldrich Potgieter has ended the protracted Rocket Classic, making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to outlast Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title. "I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter said after missed opportunities on the green by three players led to the longest playoff of the season on the tour. He celebrated on Sunday by embracing his caddie and shaking hands with Greyserman and his caddie before giving his father, Heinrich, a hug. The 20-year-old Potgieter is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter, averaging 326-plus yards off the tee. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Potgieter was born in South Africa, moved to Australia when he was eight and returned to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back," he said. "Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much." Potgieter won the British Amateur title 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. Chris Kirk was eliminated after missing a four-foot putt on the second playoff hole — that after pushing a nine-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win. Greyserman and Potgieter each had opportunities to win it on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club, but couldn't convert birdie opportunities to break a tie at 22 under with Kirk. "This one's going to sting for a little bit ... just wasn't my time," said Greyserman, who finished second for the fourth time after coming up short for his first PGA Tour victory. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a three-under 69, and American duo Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished a stroke out of the playoff. Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is still waiting to end his drought. He shot a 68 to finish 19 under and in an eighth-place tie. The two-time major winner, who was the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, has not won the PGA Tour since October 2023. Min Woo Lee (68) finished joint-13th at 18 under as the best-placed Australian and Harrison Endycott (72) five under. Aldrich Potgieter has ended the protracted Rocket Classic, making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to outlast Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title. "I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter said after missed opportunities on the green by three players led to the longest playoff of the season on the tour. He celebrated on Sunday by embracing his caddie and shaking hands with Greyserman and his caddie before giving his father, Heinrich, a hug. The 20-year-old Potgieter is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter, averaging 326-plus yards off the tee. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Potgieter was born in South Africa, moved to Australia when he was eight and returned to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back," he said. "Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much." Potgieter won the British Amateur title 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. Chris Kirk was eliminated after missing a four-foot putt on the second playoff hole — that after pushing a nine-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win. Greyserman and Potgieter each had opportunities to win it on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club, but couldn't convert birdie opportunities to break a tie at 22 under with Kirk. "This one's going to sting for a little bit ... just wasn't my time," said Greyserman, who finished second for the fourth time after coming up short for his first PGA Tour victory. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a three-under 69, and American duo Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished a stroke out of the playoff. Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is still waiting to end his drought. He shot a 68 to finish 19 under and in an eighth-place tie. The two-time major winner, who was the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, has not won the PGA Tour since October 2023. Min Woo Lee (68) finished joint-13th at 18 under as the best-placed Australian and Harrison Endycott (72) five under. Aldrich Potgieter has ended the protracted Rocket Classic, making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to outlast Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title. "I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter said after missed opportunities on the green by three players led to the longest playoff of the season on the tour. He celebrated on Sunday by embracing his caddie and shaking hands with Greyserman and his caddie before giving his father, Heinrich, a hug. The 20-year-old Potgieter is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter, averaging 326-plus yards off the tee. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Potgieter was born in South Africa, moved to Australia when he was eight and returned to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back," he said. "Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much." Potgieter won the British Amateur title 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. Chris Kirk was eliminated after missing a four-foot putt on the second playoff hole — that after pushing a nine-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win. Greyserman and Potgieter each had opportunities to win it on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club, but couldn't convert birdie opportunities to break a tie at 22 under with Kirk. "This one's going to sting for a little bit ... just wasn't my time," said Greyserman, who finished second for the fourth time after coming up short for his first PGA Tour victory. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a three-under 69, and American duo Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished a stroke out of the playoff. Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is still waiting to end his drought. He shot a 68 to finish 19 under and in an eighth-place tie. The two-time major winner, who was the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, has not won the PGA Tour since October 2023. Min Woo Lee (68) finished joint-13th at 18 under as the best-placed Australian and Harrison Endycott (72) five under. Aldrich Potgieter has ended the protracted Rocket Classic, making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to outlast Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title. "I finally got one to the hole," Potgieter said after missed opportunities on the green by three players led to the longest playoff of the season on the tour. He celebrated on Sunday by embracing his caddie and shaking hands with Greyserman and his caddie before giving his father, Heinrich, a hug. The 20-year-old Potgieter is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter, averaging 326-plus yards off the tee. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Potgieter was born in South Africa, moved to Australia when he was eight and returned to South Africa at age 17 because the COVID-19 pandemic limited his opportunities to compete. "We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back," he said. "Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much." Potgieter won the British Amateur title 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. Chris Kirk was eliminated after missing a four-foot putt on the second playoff hole — that after pushing a nine-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win. Greyserman and Potgieter each had opportunities to win it on the 72nd hole at Detroit Golf Club, but couldn't convert birdie opportunities to break a tie at 22 under with Kirk. "This one's going to sting for a little bit ... just wasn't my time," said Greyserman, who finished second for the fourth time after coming up short for his first PGA Tour victory. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a three-under 69, and American duo Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished a stroke out of the playoff. Collin Morikawa, meanwhile, is still waiting to end his drought. He shot a 68 to finish 19 under and in an eighth-place tie. The two-time major winner, who was the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, has not won the PGA Tour since October 2023. Min Woo Lee (68) finished joint-13th at 18 under as the best-placed Australian and Harrison Endycott (72) five under.
