Twenty-year-old rising star Aldrich Potgieter is closing in on a maiden PGA Tour victory, and he was nearly Australia’s newest golfing sensation.
Watch every round of the PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Potgieter represents South Africa, the nation of his birth, but spent much of childhood in Perth where his stellar golf game was largely crafted.
Those formative years have helped him to be leading the Mexico Open with one round left to play.
Potgieter is -20, one shot ahead of American Brian Campbell, and staring down the barrel of a US$1.26 million winner’s payday.
LEADERBOARD: Live scores
A stunning, course record tying ten-under par second round of 61 catapulted Potgieter into the lead, and he maintained his advantage with a composed four-under par third round of 67 on Saturday.
The PGA Tour rookie – who won the famous British Amateur in 2022, came through qualifying to play in the 150th Open at St Andrews that year, and earned starts at The Masters and the US Open in 2023 – hits a big ball and has showcased his impressive power in Mexico.
His average driving distance across the three rounds is 323 yards and he had golf fans in awe of his ability to make long par 5s look short.
Potgieter went viral on social media for using driver off the deck to reach the 661-yard par 5 in two as he made birdie during the second round.
He replicated the feat in the third round, but this time as the hole was playing a slightly shorter 642 yards, he instead used an iron for the second shot before again making birdie.
Meanwhile, Australian Aaron Baddeley is tied for 22nd at nine-under par following a third round of 68.
The other Australian in the field is Karl Vilips who has endured a rollercoaster debut outing as a PGA Tour full member.
Vilips, who earned his card via the secondary Korn Ferry Tour last year, made headlines during the week as he was unveiled as the first player to be chosen by Tiger Woods to sport his Sun Day Red label on the PGA Tour.
The 23-year-old made the cut courtesy of a six-under par second round of 65 after opening the tournament with a 74.
But Saturday’s round included three double bogeys as he carded a five-over par 76 to be +2 overall, and tied for 76th, last among those who made the cut.
Discussion about this post