Aldrich Potgieter had to grind for the first time in his short professional career on Saturday as he gritted his teeth to a level-par 72 in the third round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Compliance Solutions Championship in Norman, Oklahoma.
The 18-year-old Potgieter, the 2022 Amateur Championship winner, has just turned professional and eased his way into the touring life with opening rounds of five-under 67 and two-under 70. But and eagle, a birdie and three bogeys in his third round gave him a taste of keeping things on track in the professional environment as he remained at seven-under. That was good for a share of 50th, but it was 11 shots off the lead.
It’s going to release him to play an attacking game in the final round, and it’s also going to give him a taste of what’s required to make sure he gets a cheque as the end of the tournament. In that final round, he should take a look at converting his chances on the green, as he is ranked 65th in the field for putts per green in regulation. He had 33 putts in the third round, and, clearly, a couple of one-putts from a decent range can improve things dramatically for him.
Up front, Sweden’s Tim Widing maintained the lead he held at the halfway mark as he carded a six-under 66 to move to 18-under through 54 holes. That put him one clear of Jake Knapp of the United States and Argentina’s Alan Wagner.
