Twenty-year-old rising star Aldrich Potgieter is closing in on a maiden PGA Tour victory, and he was almost Australia’s latest {golfing} sensation.
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Potgieter represents South Africa, the nation of his start, however spent a lot of childhood in Perth the place his stellar golf recreation was largely crafted.
These childhood have helped him to be main the Mexico Open with one spherical left to play.
Potgieter is -20, one shot forward of American Brian Campbell, and staring down the barrel of a US$1.26 million winner’s payday.
LEADERBOARD: Stay scores
A surprising, course report tying ten-under par second spherical of 61 catapulted Potgieter into the lead, and he maintained his benefit with a composed four-under par third spherical of 67 on Saturday.
The PGA Tour rookie – who received the well-known British Novice in 2022, got here by way of qualifying to play within the one hundred and fiftieth Open at St Andrews that 12 months, and earned begins at The Masters and the US Open in 2023 – hits a giant ball and has showcased his spectacular energy in Mexico.
His common driving distance throughout the three rounds is 323 yards and he had golf followers in awe of his means to make lengthy par 5s look quick.
Potgieter went viral on social media for utilizing driver off the deck to succeed in the 661-yard par 5 in two as he made birdie through the second spherical.
He replicated the feat within the third spherical, however this time as the outlet was enjoying a barely shorter 642 yards, he as an alternative used an iron for the second shot earlier than once more making birdie.
In the meantime, Australian Aaron Baddeley is tied for twenty second at nine-under par following a 3rd spherical of 68.
The opposite Australian within the area is Karl Vilips who has endured a rollercoaster debut outing as a PGA Tour full member.
Vilips, who earned his card by way of the secondary Korn Ferry Tour final 12 months, made headlines through the week as he was unveiled as the primary participant to be chosen by Tiger Woods to sport his Solar Day Crimson label on the PGA Tour.
The 23-year-old made the reduce courtesy of a six-under par second spherical of 65 after opening the event with a 74.
However Saturday’s spherical included three double bogeys as he carded a five-over par 76 to be +2 total, and tied for 76th, final amongst those that made the reduce.