Rocket Classic: Potgieter Wins in Thrilling Playoff
Aldrich Potgieter wins in playoff to capture his first PGA Tour victory at the Rocket Classic, edging out the field in a dramatic finish. After 72 holes, Potgieter, Chris Kirk, and Max Greyserman all finished at –22, forcing sudden death. All made pars on playoff hole 1. Kirk fell at hole 2 after a bogey. For holes 3 and 4, both Potgieter and Greyserman matched each other. Finally, on the 5th playoff hole (the 15th), Potgieter made birdie while Greyserman missed, sealing the win.
Sunday Showdown: Players Who Went Low
Potgieter started strong with a birdie on the first hole, matched by Greyserman. However, a wayward tee shot on the second left Potgieter with an unplayable lie near the OB fence, leading to a bogey. He missed a birdie opportunity inside six feet on the par-5 4th, then dropped another shot at the par-3 5th. At that point, nerves showed. But the 20-year-old steadied himself with back-to-back birdies, turning at 20-under. On the back nine, he added three more birdies, offset by a bogey on the short par-3 15th, which played just 158 yards.
Greyserman delivered a bogey-free 5-under round and appeared poised for his first PGA Tour win after five career runner-up finishes. Chris Kirk, a six-time PGA Tour champion, also climbed into the playoff with six birdies and one bogey, finishing at 22-under.
Harry Higgs and Akshay Bhatia carded the low rounds of the day—both 65s—playing freely and finishing inside the Top 30. Early leader Min Woo Lee and Colombia’s Nico Echavarria each shot 66 to place T13 and T6, respectively. Michael Thorbjornsen posted a strong 67 but fell one stroke short of the playoff. Collin Morikawa stayed in contention ran out of holes. Jake Knapp also thrilled the crowd but lost ground without that final birdie. Knapp missed some than his fair share of birdie putts and he was hard done because of those. Meanwhile, Kirk, Greyserman, and Potgieter all finished the regulation share at –22, setting up the playoff.
Payout Details: Potgieter Leads the Payout
The total purse stood at $9.6 million. Here’s how Sunday’s leaderboard translated to earnings:
- Aldrich Potgieter (winner): $1,728,000
- Max Greyserman (T2): $854,400
- Chris Kirk (T2): $854,400
- Michael Thorbjornsen & Jake Knapp (T4): $432,000 each
Notable T8 finishers like Morikawa, Lawrence, and Putnam earned $261,600.
For complete list of payouts, click here.
🎥 Video Highlights: Relive the Final Moments
Watch the playoff showdown
Sunday Highlights
Rocket Classic Round 4 Recap
| Player | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Potgieter | –22 (win) |
| Kirk, Greyserman | –22 |
| Knapp, Morikawa, etc. | –21 to –19 |
Rocket Classic Round 4 showcased the week’s best—including Potgieter’s clutch birdie and record-breaking consistency. It’s a landmark victory for a rising star.
What Sunday Told Us
Potgieter’s win proves patience and precision matter most. The talent on display signals exciting opportunities ahead for these players. It also shows how tight battles at the Rocket Classic capture the essence of PGA Tour drama.
