20-year-old rookie becomes youngest South African PGA Tour winner after tense five-hole playoff

South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter captured his maiden PGA TOUR title in sensational fashion at the Rocket Classic, pocketing $1.728 million and 500 FedExCup points after a dramatic five-hole playoff.

Potgieter, 20, sank a 17-foot, 10-inch birdie putt on the par-3 15th hole at Detroit Golf Club to defeat Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk, both of whom also finished 22-under-par after 72 holes. Kirk bowed out with a bogey on the second playoff hole, while Greyserman missed a 34-foot birdie attempt before Potgieter sealed the win.

This marks Potgieter’s first career PGA TOUR win in just his 20th start and makes him the youngest South African champion in TOUR history. It’s also redemption for his heartbreaking playoff loss at February’s Mexico Open.

“Unbelievable,” said Potgieter. “I felt calm standing over the putt — it felt like the right moment.”

Sunday’s finish mirrored the 2021 Rocket Classic, when Cam Davis won after five extra holes. This year, Davis missed the cut, spoiling a bid for a third Detroit title.

Potgieter entered the week a +10000 long shot at FanDuel, rewarding any punters with big payouts. His victory secures exemptions to elite tournaments including The Sentry, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Masters, and the PGA Championship, plus a TOUR membership extension through 2027.

Greyserman (+3500) was also seeking his first TOUR win in his second season. Despite falling short, the Duke alum delivered a career-best performance amid strong Michigan crowd support. Kirk (+8000), a six-time TOUR winner, couldn’t capitalise on late opportunities in the playoff.

Also impressive were Michael Thorbjornsen and Jake Knapp, who shared fourth at 21-under. Collin Morikawa, the tournament favourite at +1200, settled for a five-way tie for eighth place despite recent caddie changes and inconsistency.

Meanwhile, Keegan Bradley, fresh off his Travellers Championship win, fell back to a T41 finish. Fan favourites Matt Fitzpatrick, Min Woo Lee, and Hideki Matsuyama were among those tied for 13th to 19th after strong weekend showings.

Of note, Jackson Suber, at a stunning +50000, tied for sixth, making him the best-finishing longshot of the week. Elsewhere, rookies like Karl Vilips and Nico Echavarria continue to signal a youth resurgence on the PGA TOUR.

Despite breezy conditions and a fluctuating cut line that brought 86 players into the weekend at 6-under or better, Potgieter stayed poised, delivering under pressure time and again. His win adds to a growing trend of first-time winners in 2025 — he’s the ninth of the season.

Fan engagement was high all weekend, with thousands flocking to the Detroit Golf Club. The playoff drama, especially Potgieter’s final putt, will long be remembered as one of the most thrilling Rocket Classic conclusions in recent memory.