Aldrich Potgieter shares the early lead at the PGA Championship with a 3-under 67, showcasing exceptional putting skills, including a 44-foot birdie. He is joined at the top by Stephan Jaeger and Min Woo Lee.
Key points
Aldrich Potgieter shares the early lead at the PGA Championship
He scored 3-under 67 in the first round
Potgieter made 137 feet of putts, including a 44-foot birdie
He is tied with Stephan Jaeger and Min Woo Lee
The event is taking place at Aronimink Golf Club
Mentioned in this story
Aronimink Golf Club
Aldrich PotgieterPGA ChampionshipStephan JaegerMin Woo Lee
Aldrich Potgieter's putter shines as he shares early PGA Championship lead
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. āĀ Aldrich Potgieter is redefining the term long driver on the PGA Tour.
āThe speed this kid has,ā said his swing coach Justin Parsons. āWhen heās doing that, he doesnāt even look like heās going that hard at it. He does it with ease.ā
But on Thursday, his shortest club in the bag was his best. The 21-year-old South African made 137 feet of putts, including pouring in a 44-foot birdie putt at No. 11, one of six birdies on the day, en route to posting 3-under 67 at Aronimink Golf Club to share the early first-round lead withĀ Stephan Jaeger and Min Woo Lee at the 108th PGA Championship on Thursday.
āIt was nice the putter was warm,ā said Potgieter, whoĀ ranks 122ndĀ in SG: Putting this season but was first on the day.Ā āI hit it on the right spots on the golf course, especially on the greens. I didn't feel like I had to putt over some of these big slopes we had. So I definitely left myself in really good positions on the green.ā
A general view of the 10th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Harris English of the United States walks the eighth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Q&A
What score did Aldrich Potgieter achieve in the first round of the PGA Championship?
Aldrich Potgieter posted a score of 3-under 67 in the first round of the PGA Championship.
Who are the players sharing the lead with Aldrich Potgieter at the PGA Championship?
Aldrich Potgieter is sharing the lead with Stephan Jaeger and Min Woo Lee.
What notable putting achievement did Aldrich Potgieter accomplish during the first round?
Aldrich Potgieter made 137 feet of putts, including a 44-foot birdie putt at No. 11.
Where is the 108th PGA Championship being held?
The 108th PGA Championship is being held at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
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Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts after a putt on the 13th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Ben Griffin of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jordan Spieth (L) of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talk during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Joaquin Niemann of Chile reacts to a camera on the 13th tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Min Woo Lee of Australia talks to caddie Shane Joel on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Bryce Fisher of the United States, Corebridge Financial Team of PGA of America, plays a shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
A general view of the 18th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jon Rahm of Spain plays a shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
A fan wearing a clear bag with the PGA logo during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Ludvig Aberg of Sweden plays a shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
A general view of the ninth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Kota Kaneko of Japan plays a shot on the second hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Rickie Fowler of the United States takes a club from his caddie Ricky Romano on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jordan Spieth of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 13th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Xander Schauffele of the United States walks to the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jon Rahm of Spain talks to a rules official on the tenth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
A detailed view of the Wanamaker Trophy near the first tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A general view of the 10th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
1 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A general view of the 10th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
2 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Harris English of the United States walks the eighth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
4 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts after a putt on the 13th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
5 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Ben Griffin of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Jordan Spieth (L) of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talk during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
7 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Joaquin Niemann of Chile reacts to a camera on the 13th tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Min Woo Lee of Australia talks to caddie Shane Joel on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
10 / 22
2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Bryce Fisher of the United States, Corebridge Financial Team of PGA of America, plays a shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A general view of the 18th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Jon Rahm of Spain plays a shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A fan wearing a clear bag with the PGA logo during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Ludvig Aberg of Sweden plays a shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A general view of the ninth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Kota Kaneko of Japan plays a shot on the second hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Rickie Fowler of the United States takes a club from his caddie Ricky Romano on the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Jordan Spieth of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 13th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Xander Schauffele of the United States walks to the 12th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
Jon Rahm of Spain talks to a rules official on the tenth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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2026 PGA Championship: Best photos from Thursday's opening round
A detailed view of the Wanamaker Trophy near the first tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
On a chilly, blustery morning when he was among the first players to tee off, Potgieter became the second-youngest player to shoot 67 or better in the first round of the PGA ā only Sergio Garcia, who was 19 when he shot 66 in 1999 was younger. Potgieter used his driver 10 or 11 times on the day but the launch conditions werenāt ideal to tee it high and let it fly.
āIt's hard when the shaft is that stiff and your body's not working properly to get the ball speed up for the shaft to work as well,ā he said.
Thatās usually not a problem for Potgieter, who is listed at 5-10 and 210 pounds and topped all players in driving distance in 2025 with an average of 327 yards, a full six yards longer than Rory McIlroy, ranked second, andĀ his tee shots measure 26 yards longer than the Tour average.Ā Potgieter, who also led the Korn Ferry Tour in Driving Distance in 2024, is tops in distance on Tour again this season.
āI think it just kind of came naturally. I haven't done too much to get the distance that I got, it's just kind of been given to me. So happy with it, and just trying to control it, that's kind of the big thing we're trying to work on,ā Potgieter said of his prodigious length. āKind of did everything as a kid, didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation at the start, and I think that happened at the right time during my growth spurt that it helped me a lot.ā
At the age of 20 years, 9 months, 16 days, Potgieter became the ninth-youngest Tour winner since the start of the 1983 season and youngest Tour winner from South Africa with his win at the Rocket Classic in Detroit in July.Ā He was named the third South African winner of the Arnold Palmer Award, joining Ernie Els (1994) and Trevor Immelman (2006) as the Tour's Rookie of the Year. Now, itās a question of how Potgieter can harness his superpower. Potgieter is off to a great start this week, something he said thatās been lacking this season. Heās opened with scores of 79 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, 84 at the Masters and 74 last week at the Truist Championship.
āThere wasn't a lot of people out there this morning on the first couple of holes. So it was nice to kind of get in my own little space and kind of get a groove in early on,ā he said.
Lee, a talented 27-year-old Australian with one Tour title to his credit, had the solo lead until he made bogey at the par-3 eighth, his 17thĀ hole of the day. Jaeger, a 36-year-old from Germany, did his damage early, making five birdies on the front nine.
South African Garrick Higgo would have been tied for the lead, too, but he was penalized two strokes for showing up lateĀ to his 7:18 a.m. tee time. Higgo was still on the practice green rather than the area defined as the starting point at his designated tee time. The starting point for the first and 10th tees are defined by the rope, gallery stakes, green bike fencing and/or blue stakes, blue dots or blue lines, the PGAās Rules Committee said.Ā Higgo arrived one minute too late. His par on the first hole became a double bogey. Higgo bounced back from the two-stroke penalty and birdied his final hole, No. 9, to shoot 1-under 69.
āIt is what it is,ā he told ESPN after the round. āI think it shows a lot of mental strength how I kept it togetherā¦Iām super proud. I think a lot of guys would have shot a lot in that situation.ā