{"id":224860,"date":"2025-06-29T20:30:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T20:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/224860\/"},"modified":"2025-06-29T20:30:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T20:30:11","slug":"aldrich-potgieter-could-equal-pga-tour-record-held-by-rory-mcilroy-and-seve-ballesteros-if-he-wins-the-rocket-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/224860\/","title":{"rendered":"Aldrich Potgieter could equal PGA Tour record held by Rory McIlroy and Seve Ballesteros if he wins the Rocket Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aldrich Potgieter is a truly incredible talent, and he has a real chance to win his first ever PGA Tour event at the Rocket Classic on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The big South African heads into the final round of the Rocket Classic<\/a> with a two-shot lead over five players.<\/p>\n

Potgieter came incredibly close to winning on the PGA Tour<\/a> back in February, only for Brian Campbell to take the spoils after a play-off at the Mexico Open.<\/p>\n

Word has got around about the 20-year-old prodigious length off the tee.<\/p>\n

Collin Morikawa raved about Potgieter\u2019s power<\/a> on Saturday, despite having never played with him.<\/p>\n

And with a win at the Rocket Classic , he could join a prestigious list of names including Rory McIlroy<\/a> and the late, great Seve Ballesteros<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aldrich Potgieter could equal PGA Tour record with Rocket Classic win<\/p>\n

The big-hitting 20-year-old has been in sensational form in Detroit so far this week, with rounds of 62, 70, and 65.<\/p>\n

\"AldrichPhoto by Joseph Weiser\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Potgieter has simply overpowered the golf course for the most part this week.<\/p>\n

However, will he be able to maintain the impressive pace that he has set after three rounds, and lift his first ever PGA Tour trophy on Sunday?<\/p>\n

If he does manage to do that, he will be in some seriously impressive company.<\/p>\n

Potgieter would become only the fifth player from outside of the United States to have won a PGA Tour event before the age of 21.<\/p>\n

\n

Aldrich Potgieter leads by 2 entering the final round of the Rocket Classic.<\/p>\n

With a win, he would be the 5th player from outside the USA to win a PGA Tour event before age 21 in the last 100 years, joining:<\/p>\n

Seve Ballesteros
Rory McIlroy
Joaquin Niemann
Tom Kim<\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

That is a seriously impressive list of names, and it highlights what a tremendous accomplishment it would be, if Potgieter were to go on and win in Motown on Sunday.<\/p>\n

McIlroy has 29 PGA Tour wins to his name as well as 19 DP World Tour victories, whilst Seve won 59 combined trophies on the two tours.<\/p>\n

If Potgieter goes on to enjoy even a quarter of the success both of those two players achieved, he will be absolutely delighted.<\/p>\n

Potgieter\u2019s five longest drives from day three at the Rocket Classic<\/p>\n

The South African leads the driving distance and ball speed stats on the PGA Tour this season.<\/p>\n

He averages 326.6 yards off the tee with an average ball speed of 190.38 mph.<\/p>\n

Here are his five longest drives recorded on Saturday at Detroit Golf Club:<\/p>\n\nLength in yards<\/td>\nHole<\/td>\nPotgieter\u2019s score<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n374<\/td>\n8th<\/td>\nBirdie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n360<\/td>\n12th<\/td>\nPar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n352<\/td>\n16th<\/td>\nPar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n340<\/td>\n6th<\/td>\nBirdie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n328<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\nPar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

His enormous length off the tee means that he can overpower the golf course this week.<\/p>\n

And if Potgieter manages to drive the ball fairly straight on Sunday, he will have a great chance of winning the Rocket Classic.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n