Aldrich Potgieter continued to build his reputation as a player with serious potential after his breakthrough win at the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic.
He’s not short on promise, either. The South African had already come close to a second victory that season, losing out in a playoff at the Mexico Open earlier in the year.
Statistically, he made an impact as well, finishing the season as the longest hitter on tour. Potgieter averaged 325 yards off the tee, edging out Rory McIlroy by two yards.
With that combination of power and poise, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him add his name to the list of South African major champions sooner rather than later.
Who Aldrich Potgieter thinks are South Africa’s three best golfers ever
Outside of the United States, Scotland and England, no country has won more men’s majors than South Africa.
South African players have claimed 22 majors in total, with Ernie Els the most recent to do so.
Appearing on The Smylie Show, Potgieter was asked who he thinks are the top three South African golfers ever. He put Els at number one.
“I would say Gary Player has to be on there, but I think he’s going to take silver. And Ernie Els, I think Ernie Els is going to take gold. I think he could have done so much more obviously if Tiger wasn’t there. I kind of want to see those records.
“And then a bronze, there’s a few guys who’ve done a lot. You’ve got Retief [Goosen] who won two majors. But I think I’ll give it to Louis [Oosthuizen] because he’s come second in so many majors. I think that one year he had three or four, so I think Louis deserves that last spot,” he stated.
Why Gary Player may have a different view of Potgieter’s ranking
Potgieter’s view might not sit well with Gary Player, who recently made headlines by ranking himself as the third greatest golfer of all time.
No one from South Africa has more majors than Player. Els is tied with Bobby Locke on four titles, and there are four others who have also claimed major victories.
A good portion of that success in recent years has come at The Masters.
Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel both have green jackets, while Oosthuizen came close before Bubba Watson’s memorable shot from the trees in 2012 clinched it.
Potgieter could be next in line to join that list.
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