Potgieter is about to face another test.
The PGA Tour's youngest player and biggest hitter is going into the final round of the Rocket Classic with a two-shot lead, hoping to hold off a pack of players, including Collin Morikawa, for his first victory on the circuit.
"The leaderboard's so stacked," Potgieter said after he had five straight birdies in a seven-under 65 to surge into the lead at 19 under on Saturday.
The 20-year-old tour rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee — several yards longer than Rory McIlroy — and credits his multi-sport childhood.
"I played a lot of sports, rugby, wrestling," Potgieter said.
"Kind of did everything as a kid. Didn't just focus on golf, so that kind of helped me build that strong foundation."
Max Greyserman (66), Jake Knapp (66), Mark Hubbard (67), Andrew Putnam (67) and Chris Kirk (69) were two shots back, while three more players were another stroke behind.
Morikawa, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.5, shot a 68 to start the final round four shots adrift.
"Look, I know what's at stake," said the two-time major champion, who has not won on the tour since October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan.
"I want to find a way to get it done."
In a nod to his native country, Potgieter's white golf shoes have the South Africa flag on the outside of his heels.
He won the British Amateur at the age of 17 and became the youngest Korn Ferry Tour winner last year, paving the way for him to become the second-youngest player to earn a PGA Tour card through the minor league just after his 20th birthday. The youngest was Aussie Jason Day, who was 19 in 2007.
While playing one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour, it will likely be challenging for the world's 123rd-ranked player to hold off the competition.
Potgieter opened with a birdie and at the 372-yard, par-4 eighth hole, he pulled out his driver and sent the ball over towering trees and through the green before it finally rested in the rough. He went on to make an 11-foot putt for his fifth straight birdie and sixth of the afternoon to help him shoot a 30 on the front nine.
He cooled off on the back nine with a birdie at 13 before closing with five straight pars.
"That front nine really helped me to get through," Potgieter said.
"A lot of par saves on this back nine."
Min Woo Lee (68) is the best-placed Australian at 12 under, while Harrison Endycott (78) is five under.
With AAP.
