South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter secured his maiden PGA Tour title in stunning fashion, sinking an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
The 20-year-old, known for his powerful hitting, held his nerve to edge out Max Greyserman in a tense sudden-death finish. Potgieter’s victory makes him the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour and the seventh-youngest overall since 1983.
“I struggled to make putts and left a lot short,” said Potgieter. “But I finally got one to the hole.”
The playoff began with three players tied at 22-under-par 266 after 72 holes. Potgieter, Greyserman and Chris Kirk were all in contention until Kirk bowed out on the second extra hole after a three-putt bogey. He had missed a birdie chance from just over nine feet on the first playoff hole.
“It’s a shame,” said Kirk. “I hit three perfect shots on that first playoff hole and just misread the putt. That’s how it goes sometimes.”
Greyserman, who started the week ranked 48th in the world, remains without a PGA Tour win. He had several chances to clinch victory but missed birdie putts from 11 and 12 feet during the playoff and in regulation play. He shot a bogey-free 67 in the final round and had birdies at the 16th and 17th to force extra holes.
“This one is going to sting a little bit,” said Greyserman. “I thought I hit a lot of good shots down the stretch and I’m proud of how I handled myself. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the job done.”
Potgieter opened the tournament with a brilliant 62 and led after the first and third rounds. He signed for a closing 69 to finish at 22 under. Composed under pressure, he stepped up on the par-three 15th in the playoff and holed the decisive putt.
“A big thanks to my family, friends, coaches – everyone who’s helped me get to this point,” Potgieter said.
The final round featured a packed leaderboard, with 26 players within three shots of the lead at one point. Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Jake Knapp (68) finished tied for fourth at 21 under. Jackson Suber (68) and Colombia’s Nico Echavarria (66) shared sixth place at 20 under.
Echavarria played the final seven holes in four under, matching his opening-round 66. Harry Higgs and Akshay Bhatia posted the lowest scores of the day with matching 65s to finish at 16 under and 15 under, respectively.
With the field tightly bunched throughout the day, the Rocket Mortgage Classic delivered a thrilling finish. In the end, it was Potgieter who emerged victorious, celebrating a landmark win early in what promises to be a bright career.