Aldrich Potgieter is steadily establishing himself as a formidable talent in the world of golf, highlighted by his recent victory at the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic. This achievement only adds to the excitement surrounding the young South African, who has already shown his competitive edge by narrowly missing out on another win earlier this year, finishing second in a playoff at the Mexico Open.
His impressive statistics underscore his strength on the course; Potgieter finished the season as the longest hitter on tour, averaging an impressive 325 yards off the tee, surpassing golfing great Rory McIlroy by two yards. With this kind of power combined with his skillful play, many anticipate that it may not be long before Potgieter’s name is added to the list of South African major champions, a legacy that has seen its players triumph 22 times in major tournaments, making South Africa one of the most successful countries in this regard.
In a recent appearance on The Smylie Show, Potgieter shared his thoughts on who he believes are the top three South African golfers of all time. He placed Ernie Els at the pinnacle, suggesting that Els could have achieved even more remarkable records had he not competed alongside legends like Tiger Woods. Following Els, Potgieter identified Gary Player as a close second. For the bronze, he expressed admiration for Louis Oosthuizen, citing his numerous near-misses in majors as deserving of recognition, particularly noting a year when Oosthuizen finished as runner-up multiple times.
However, Potgieter’s ranking could spark a disagreement with Gary Player, who has publicly asserted his position as the third greatest golfer in history and holds the record for the most majors won by a South African. Els is tied for second with four major titles, alongside esteemed players like Bobby Locke, with several others having claimed major victories as well.
Recent years have seen South African golfers find success, particularly at The Masters, with Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel both donning the prestigious green jacket. With Potgieter’s evident potential and determination, he could soon join the ranks of these celebrated champions, continuing the legacy of South African excellence in golf.