MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At just 20, Aldrich Potgieter has become a PGA champion.
A talented young golf player, Potgieter won the Rocket Classic in the PGA Tour in Detroit, United States, on Sunday 29 June.
He received this coveted title by making an 18-foot birdie putt on the fifth play-off hole to outlast American golfer Max Greyserman for his first PGA Tour title.
Not only did he take home a winner's trophy, but also over R30m.
"That was a dream he had had since he was eight, and it came true way earlier than we expected. I think his shout says it all! Overjoyed and relieved!" said Potgieter's mother, Adele, to Mossel Bay Advertiser.
The love of golf
Potgieter relocated from Mpumalanga to Australia with his family when he was eight, where he lived for nine years. His family moved back to South Africa when he was 17, settling in Mossel Bay.
His love of golf has always been strong. His mother shared that although he has been hitting balls since he was in nappies, he officially started playing on a golf course when he was eight.
When asked if Potgieter had felt at all nervous about the game leading up to his win on Sunday, Adele said: "Obviously he had a certain amount of nervousness; it would not be normal if he hadn't. But he had a different confidence about this one."
Proud parents
Potgieter is the youngest winner from South Africa in PGA Tour history.
Both his parents are, of course, unbelievably proud of him.
"We are so proud of both our children - the levels of pride we have for Aldrich are just indescribable. Not because of his golf achievements, but how he chased his dream since he was eight and never gave up or compromised to take an easy road," said Adele.
Aldrich Potgieter celebrates his win.
Since his return to South Africa, he has received various accolades, including winning the South Australian Junior Masters, the Amateur Championship, the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, the African Amateur Stroke Play Championship and the Junior Invitational.
Potgieter now has his sights set on the John Deere Classic Tournament this past weekend, followed by the Scottish Open on 9 July and eventually the FedEx Cup in August.
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