Playoff Breakthroughs

Potgieter, Reed, Im and Lee all capture breakthrough wins in playoff drama across the tours

July 01, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

July 1, 2025

SUB 60 HEADLINES

The golf world witnessed playoff magic this weekend as Aldrich Potgieter claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory in dramatic fashion at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 20-year-old South African outlasted Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk in a marathon five-hole playoff, earning $1.728 million and becoming the youngest South African winner in PGA Tour history.

Potgieter's winning moment came on the par-3 15th hole - their fifth playoff hole - where he drained an 18-foot birdie putt to seal the deal. All three players finished regulation at 22-under par after missing birdie chances on 72, setting up the extended drama. The victory earned Potgieter full tour status through 2027 plus invites to the Masters and PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, Patrick Reed finally broke through for his first LIV Golf victory at Dallas, capturing $4 million after surviving the tour's first-ever four-way playoff. Reed, Louis Oosthuizen, Jinichiro Kozuma, and Paul Casey all finished at 6-under before Reed emerged victorious in his home state of Texas.

PLAYOFF PERFECTION

This weekend's playoff drama showcased golf at its finest. Potgieter's journey from unknown to champion exemplified the PGA Tour's depth, while his opening 62 tied the Detroit Golf Club course record before Jake Knapp obliterated it with a stunning 61 the next day. Knapp's round made him the first player in tour history to shoot both sub-60 and 61-or-lower in the same season.

Reed's LIV breakthrough carried extra emotion, coming after 41 attempts on the breakaway tour. His Crushers GC also dominated the team competition by 11 shots, collecting an additional $3 million while drawing record crowds of over 50,000 fans across three days.

The LPGA's Dow Championship delivered its own drama as Korean duo Jin Hee Im and Somi Lee captured their first tour victories in the team event, earning $399,510 each after defeating Lexi Thompson and Megan Khang in a playoff. Thompson's quest for her first win in six years continues despite firing a final-round 60.

Padraig Harrington added another major to his collection at the U.S. Senior Open, earning $800,000 with an 11-under total at The Broadmoor. The Irishman held off Stewart Cink by one shot in a thrilling final-round battle.

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WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK: CORE FOUR

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U.S. Senior Open Championship

OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKINGS: TOP 60

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