Imagine it’s your first full season on the PGA Tour. Go directly to no. 1 in driving distance.
This is what Aldrich Potgieter did in 2025.
After leading the Korn Ferry Tour in driving distance, Potgieter arrived on the PGA Tour and saw his speed translate to the big leagues. He averaged 325.0 yards per drive, first on Tour. He outlasted Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Ã…berg and the entire modern powerhouse.
But the deeper story wasn’t about distance.
2025: Longest leader but not overall leader
Potgieter’s 2025 season showed a clear separation between power and performance.
He listed:
- First in driving distance (325.0 yards)
- 156th in Fairways Hit (55.63%)
- 137 in Approach Play
- 173 Around Green
- 90 in general
He was the longest-serving player on Tour, but outside the top 150 in hitting. His iron game and short game dragged his overall performance and scoring down despite the speed advantage.
Even in terms of equipment, there was an adjustment during the year. He started 2025 with one Title GT3 the driver before entering the Title GT2 driver, the club he had in play when he won the Rocket Classic.
2026: A complete reset of the devices
Entering 2026, Potgieter spent his entire purse on PXGputting Lightning Driver Max-10K+ (10.5°) in the game. When I first looked at his driving stats in 2026, the first thing that stood out was that he is no longer first in driving distance.
At first glance, I thought it was the club, but I dug a little deeper to see the full picture.
The numbers of the beginning of 2026
Via Pebble Beach, here’s what the rankings show:
- 3rd in driving distance (327.1 yards)
- 97th in Fairways Hit (59.09%)
- 6th place in Clubhead speed
- 164 in Approach Play
- 131 in Putting
- 146 in general
Look closely at the driving measurements. It’s longer than last year and, for now, more accurate than last year. His note categories still need help.
It’s early, but the pattern is consistent with what we saw in 2025. For Potgieter, distance has never been an issue.
Aldrich Potgieter: 2025 vs 2026 WITB Comparison
| Club category | Clubs 2025 | Clubs of 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Title GT3 (beginning of 2025) → Title GT2 (9°) | PXG Lightning Max-10K+ (10.5°) |
| Mini Driver | – | PXG secret weapon mini leader |
| 3-Wood | Ping G440 Max | – |
| Services / Iron for steering | Title T250 (2) | PXG GEN8 Guide rail |
| lattice | Title T150 (4-5), Title T100 (6-9) | PXG GEN8 Handcuffs / PXG 0317 Handcuffs |
| wedges | Title Vokey SM10 (46°, 52°, 54°) + WedgeWorks 60° | PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedges |
| Putter | Scotty Cameron 009M Tour Prototype | PXG Brandon Tournament Series |
| assemblies Make | Golf Pride ZGrip Cord | PXG (stock / custom build) |
Final thoughts
When you look at amateur data, there is one clear difference in results between players who have more space. The extra distance makes the game easier.
But this helps only to a point.
For Potgieter, the target in 2026 does not seem to dominate the distance category. He has proven that he can do it. The focus seems to be on cleaning up other stats. Early numbers indicate improved driving accuracy. Now the next step is converting those shots into a better approach game and better scoring around the greens.
If you’re not the tallest in your group, there’s hope. Distance matters. It creates opportunities. But if you want to win at any level, you have to turn those extra yards into scoring chances. Let’s see if this is new PXG the setup helps Potgieter do that.
Main photo caption: Aldrich Potgieter hits a tee shot during the WM Phoenix Open. (GETTY IMAGES/Justin Edmonds)
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