Aldrich Potgieter Claims Maiden PGA Tour Victory At Rocket Mortgage Classic Via Epic Playoff

HELLO ALL

Good morning, afternoon and evening all, and welcome to Golf Monthly's final round coverage of the Rocket Classic, where a tight leaderboard is in play at Detroit Golf Club.

As of writing, we have a four-way tie for the lead at 19-under, with several players just a handful of shots behind. Among the chasing pack are Collin Morikawa, Nicolai Hojgaard and Matt Fitzpatrick.

CHANGES AT THE TOP

We have a new leader and it's Michael Thorbjornsen, who birdies the par 5 seventh following a comfortable four. He is the first player to move to 20-under-par in Detroit.

Behind the American, Aldrich Potgieter has bogeyed the par 3 fifth following a poor tee shot and chip, with his par effort from eight-foot sliding by. He drops back to 18-under, two back of Thorbjornsen.

KIRK GETS TO 19-UNDER

Chris Kirk is searching for a seventh PGA Tour title and, at the par 5 seventh, the American makes birdie to get to 19-under, one back of Thorbjornsen.

PARS FOR THE FINAL PAIRING

Potgieter and Max Greyserman are the final pairing and, at the par 4 sixth, Potgieter just misses his birdie putt on the right-side, while Greyserman holes an excellent putt for par to remain at 19-under.

Up ahead, Thorbjornsen's lead doesn't last long, with the American failing to get up-and-down from the back edge of the green at the par 4 eighth. It's his first bogey of the day and drops him back into a four-way tie for the lead.

THE CHEF SETS THE CLUBHOUSE TARGET

Min Woo Lee produced a course record 62 on Thursday and, despite following it up with two average rounds, the Aussie cards a six-under 66 final round.

He finishes 18-under for the tournament and, currently, leads in the clubhouse. It will not be enough, but it's yet another solid week from Lee, who claimed his first PGA Tour win earlier this year.

KNAPP TAKES THE LEAD

The par 5 seventh has been playing as one of the easier holes today and, following two good shots, Jake Knapp makes birdie to lead at 20-under-par.

Up ahead, Thorbjornsen's struggles continue, with the American making a bogey at the ninth for a front nine of 34. That's back-to-back bogeys to close out his first nine holes, with the 23-year-old 18-under.

LOGJAM AT 18-UNDER

A number of players are at 18-under-par, with Hideki Matsuyama and Nico Echavarria moving to that score. Along with the pair, Chandler Phillips has made back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th to move to 18-under, with 10 players on that score right now!

THREE PLAYERS AT 20-UNDER

This leaderboard keeps changing and, as the front nine comes to a close, Kirk and Greyserman have birdied their respective holes to get to 20-under-par.

It's shaping up for a close and frantic back nine and, as of now, it really is anyone's for the taking at Detroit Golf Club.

HARRINGTON WINS THE US SENIOR OPEN

Away from the PGA Tour and to the PGA Tour Champions, where Padraig Harrington has won a second US Senior Open at Broadmoor Golf Club!

KNAPP BOGEYS TO FALL TO 19-UNDER

Knapp has played the par 3 ninth poorly and, facing a mid-range putt for par, it agonizingly slides by the left-side and it's a bogey for the American, who falls back to 19-under.

BIRDIES FROM EVERYWHERE

It's heating up here in Detroit and, at the par 4 eighth, Potgieter almost drives the green and two-putts for a birdie to get into a share of the lead at 20-under.

His lead doesn't last long, as Kirk rolls in a good birdie putt to get to 21-under, which puts him into the outright lead.

At the eighth, Greyserman plays a great chip to near gimme range but, with his putt, it powerfully lips out and it's a big missed opportunity for the American, who stays 20-under.

HOW CLOSE FOR POTGIETER?!

How has that not dropped? Faced with a birdie from across the green at the par 3 ninth, the South African hits a great putt that, somehow, slides across the front of the hole! It's a par for Potgieter, who will be pleased to fire a one-under front nine and remain one back.

PAR SAVE FROM KIRK

Great up-and-down for Kirk at the par 4 11th, who makes a great sand save from 30-yards.

He remains at 21-under, one ahead of Potgieter, Greyserman, and now, Knapp, who birdies the 10th hole to get one back of his fellow countryman.

GREYSERMAN REMAINING STRONG

Greyserman has been impressive on Sunday, with the American producing a delicate chip from the edge of the green to set up a par at the 11th.

KNAPP MAKES BOGEY

The American had short-sided himself at the par 4 11th and, after hitting his third over the back of the green, he does well to get up-and-down for a bogey to drop back to 19-under-par.

MASSIVE MISS FOR CHAMP

Cameron Champ would secure himself a spot in the John Deere Classic next week with a top 10 finish. At the final hole, he has a par putt to remain in a share of seventh, but his putt dives right and misses. He is now in a share of 14th spot with the remainder of the field left to come in.

ROY TAKES CLUBHOUSE LEAD

Kevin Roy finishes at 19-under-par and is on-course for a second top 10 of the PGA Tour season, backing up his T6 result at the Puerto Rico Open.

Firing a five-under 67, the American finishes at 19-under-par and overtakes Min Woo Lee and Hideki Matsuyama, who were originally the clubhouse leaders at 18-under.

MOVING TO 20-UNDER

This leaderboard is non-stop and, in terms of Echavarria and Suber, both birdie the 17th and 14th to get to 20-under and just one back of Kirk, who has a birdie putt coming up at the 13th.

EXCELLENT FROM ECHAVARRIA

Superb round from Echavarria, who produces a six-under 66 to sit at 20-under in the clubhouse. It will, likely, not be enough, but it's an excellent round from the Colombian, who is on-course for a second top 10 of 2025.

FITZY TO 19-UNDER

Matt Fitzpatrick is playing some great golf of late and, during his final round, he is now five-under following a birdie at the par 5 17th. The Englishman has re-found some form and is on-course for a top 10 in Detroit.

KIRK HITS THE GRANDSTAND

Kirk hits a great drive down the 14th but, from the middle of the fairway, he blocks his approach well right and hits the grandstand! It's unclear what lie he has, but he will likely get a free drop from the structure.

POTGIETER SHARES THE LEAD

Potgieter hasn't been at his best today, but has recovered well after a poor start at Detroit Golf Club!

Playing the par 4 13th, the South African produces a delicate chip to six-feet and, with a straightforward putt, his attempt never leaves the hole, dropping in for a birdie and a share of the lead at 21-under with Kirk.

GETTING CLOSER

Knapp has birdied the 14th to get to 20-under, while Potgieter and Greyserman are both greenside at the par 5, leaving great chances to get up-and-down and move to 22-under and 21-under.

Up ahead, Thorbjornsen has made his way to 20-under, alongside Suber, Echavarria, Knapp and Greyserman, who are all spread across various areas of the golf course.

POTGIETER LEADS THE ROCKET CLASSIC

The South African has steadied the ship and, at the par 5 14th, he manages to get up-and-down for birdie to move to 22-under and into the outright lead.

Sitting one-over-par through six holes, it's a great recovery from Potgieter, who is now three-under for the round and one shot clear of Kirk, who has just parred the 16th hole to remain 21-under.

THORBJORNSEN MOVES TO 21-UNDER

The American birdies the 17th hole and is now three-under through his last four holes. Sitting 21-under, he may need a birdie at the last to challenge Potgieter, who has gone long at the par 3 15th.

BOGEY FOR POTGIETER

That's a bad bogey for Potgieter, who goes long with his tee shot and duffs his chip at the par 3 15th. Faced with 18-feet for par, it misses on the right and the South African drops back to 21-under.

Currently, we have a three-way share of the lead, with Potgieter, Kirk and Thorbjornsen all sat at 21-under-par and with a handful of holes remaining.

POTGIETER IS PUMPED

KIRK LEADS

The par 5 17th yields another birdie and, this time, it's Kirk who makes the most of it as the American drops his putt in to move to 22-under. He leads by one!

BIG BIRDIE FOR GREYSERMAN

He's gone off the boil the last few holes, but Greyserman holes a lengthy birdie putt at the par 4 16th to move to 21-under and one behind Kirk, who has found the fairway at the final hole.

Potgieter has a birdie chance at the 16th, also, but his attempt slides by the left-side and he remains 21-under. Both men head to the par 5 17th with a birdie on their minds.

HOW HAS THAT MISSED?

Wow... Knapp has a chance for eagle at the par 5 17th and, three-feet out, it looks nowhere else but in the middle of the hole!

The eagle would put him into a share of the lead but, somehow, it slides by the right side and lips out for eagle. He taps in for birdie and moves to 21-under, one shot back of Kirk, who has a birdie putt on the 18th.

KIRK FINISHES AT 22-UNDER

The 40-year-old produces two excellent shots at the 18th and, from 15-foot, his birdie putt misses on the right. Kirk taps-in for par and sets the clubhouse target at 22-under.

HUGE FROM POTGIETER

The South African is the biggest hitter on the PGA Tour and, at the par 5 17th, he leaves himself a 9-iron into the hole following a 370-yard drive!

Striking the ball, it's slightly left, but catches the green and leaves a mid-range eagle putt which, if he holed, would put him 23-under and one ahead of Kirk. It's still wide open here!

NARROW MISS FOR POTGIETER

Potgieter has a great look for eagle at the par 5 17th and, as it rolls towards the hole, it looks in. However, it dives left and is short, with the 20-year-old tapping in for birdie to tie Kirk at the top of the leaderboard.

In his group, Greyserman also birdies to join Kirk and Potgieter at 22-under, with the American making back-to-back birdies to make it a three-way tie in Detroit.

CRIMINAL FROM KNAPP

Knapp has a chance at the 18th to get to 22-under and, with a putt from 10-foot, his attempt comes up short. In fairness to the American, it took a hop off the face, but he comes up short with a 21-under total.

ADVANTAGE GREYSERMAN

Both Potgieter and Greyserman find the fairway at the 18th and, with his approach, Potgieter comes up short with his second shot spinning well away from the flag.

He has a difficult two-putt coming up, with Greyserman producing a much better approach that lands past the flag and spins pin-high. He will have a 12-footer for victory at the Rocket Classic.

PARS FOR THE FINAL GROUP

Potgieter is first up and, from distance, his putt comes up well short of the hole. He will have a lengthy wait, as Greyserman faces a putt to win the tournament.

Stepping up, the American's attempt goes left and stays left, finishing past the hole. He taps in for par and is guaranteed a spot in the playoff.

In fairness to Potgieter, he manages to roll in his five-footer, with both men finishing 22-under and joining Kirk in a playoff. We will head back down the 18th.

WHO IS YOUR MONEY ON?

FAIRWAYS FOUND AT THE 18TH

The 18th has been the most hit fairway this week and, in terms of tee shots, Kirk finds the fairway, with Potgieter and Greyserman following their countryman.

Kirk will be first to play, with the six-time PGA Tour winner leaving himself 160 yards in. After Kirk, it will be Potgieter, who has 140 yards, while Greyserman has 137 yards.

APPROACH SHOTS

Kirk is first to hit into the green and, with a 9-iron in hand, he plays a lovely draw that pitches past the flag and finishes 10-foot from the hole.

Potgieter is next, with the 20-year-old coming up short once again. Luckily, his ball just holds on and doesn't feed down the slope like it did in regulation play.

Greyserman, who has the same club into the green, pulls it left and it comes up well short, leaving him an awkward two-putt.

The advantage lies with Kirk, who has a significantly shorter birdie putt coming up.

SLIM MARGINS

All three players give their birdie putts a great go but, ultimately, they all miss narrowly at the 18th hole.

Greyserman, who is well away from the hole, comes up short with his first putt, but shows serious grit to roll in a five-footer to remain in the contest.

Potgieter and Kirk have good looks at the birdie, but Potgieter's putt from 20-foot finishes on the left-lip, while Kirk's effort slides by the right-side.

We now head to the 15th hole, a 158-yard par 3.

ADVANTAGE GREYSERMAN

Keeping the same order, Kirk fans his tee shot right and leaves himself a long two-putt from 55-feet.

In regulation play, Potgieter went over the back and, in the playoff, he does it once again, this time going even further.

Greyserman has the advantage if he can hit a good shot and, striking the ball, it's right of the flag and spins to around 11-feet. Excellent from the American, who plays his approach perfectly.

KIRK IS OUT

Kirk lags his putt up excellently from 55-foot, with his ball ending up four-foot from the hole.

Potgieter is next up and, from a gnarly lie, he plays a great chip, which finishes six-foot from the flag.

Greyserman has a putt to win following Kirk and Potgieter's missed efforts and, from nine-foot, it slides by the right side, ending up just inches from the hole.

It's a par from Greyserman, with Potgieter following him in. Kirk, who has four-foot to carry on in the playoff, pulls his putt horrendously and is out of the playoff.

GREYSERMAN FINDS THE FAIRWAY

Now playing the par 4 16th, Potgieter has blasted his tee shot right and into the bunker. He will have 140 yards from the sand.

Greyserman is next up and, with a fairway wood in hand, he finds the center of the fairway, leaving himself 157 yards to the flag.

KIRK REFLECTS

GREEN FOUND

Greyserman and Potgieter both find the green at the 16th and, you have to say, there's no advantage to either...

Both are around the flag, both leaving 15-footers for birdie. Greyserman is left of the hole, while Potgieter is long of the flag. Both have makeable putts coming up.

WE MOVE ON

Greyserman and Potgieter are faced with great birdie chances and, striking his putt, Greyserman's attempt slides by the side of the hole, somehow missing again!

Potgieter has a chance to win, but the 20-year-old's putt never threatens the hole, with the South African parring the 16th for a third tie.

We move on to the 14th hole, a par 5 where both birdied earlier.

FAIRWAY FOUND AT THE 14TH

Potgieter and Greyserman have been excellent with the driver and, on the fourth playoff hole, both find the fairway.

It's a huge drive from both, with Potgieter producing a 363-yard tee shot, while Greyserman is 361-yards down the fairway.

Greyserman will hit in first, with both around 195-yards away from the hole.

PLAYOFF HISTORY

ADVANTAGE POTGIETER

This is excellent golf from both at the par 5 14th and, after massive drives, Greyserman puts a mid-iron into the heart of the green and leaves 28-foot for an eagle.

Leaving himself a slightly tighter angle following his drive, Potgieter produces a stunning 8-iron that lands on the green and finishes 19-foot from the flag.

GREAT EFFORT FROM BOTH

Greyserman sees his putt go by the left side and, with a chance to win, Potgieter's effort, somehow, dribbles left.

He taps-in for a birdie, with Greyserman still facing a testy four-footer for the half. Stepping-up, he rams it in the back of the hole, meaning we now head for a fifth playoff hole, the par 3 15th.

ADVANTAGE POTGIETER

Both find the green at the par 3 15th, but it's advantage Potgieter, who is 17-foot from the flag, whereas Greyserman is 35-foot away.

POTGIETER WINS THE ROCKET CLASSIC

HOW GOOD?!