THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

June 16, 2026

Malan Potgieter

Quick Quotes

Q. Congratulations, 63. Just talk us through a tremendous day.

MALAN POTGIETER: Yeah, thank you. I knew I had to play some good golf today to get into the cut line. I started the day five outside the cut before, so I kind of had a bit more of an aggressive mentality today and hit the ball great to give myself a lot of birdie chances. The putter worked well.

Then obviously it was a perfect day for scoring, as well, so I took advantage of that. But, yeah, just very happy I played well, and I get the chance to play again tomorrow.

Q. Yesterday obviously 76. What was it? It was windier yesterday, but just one of those days?

MALAN POTGIETER: Yeah, honestly, I played the last two holes at 4-over. I made triple on 17. Even yesterday I felt like I played solid. I just finished terrible. Yeah, so, my game felt good. I just scored terribly yesterday.

Q. Starting off this morning, as you said, it was kind of threw caution to the wind. Did you have a number in mind? Just as low as you could?

MALAN POTGIETER: I knew at least 5, which would have missed. I knew at least 5-under. Yeah, what is the cut? 2-under. Just as lows as I could go.

Q. In terms of career rounds and in the circumstances, I suppose, facing an exit, where would this one rank?

MALAN POTGIETER: Yeah, it's up there. I'm very proud of myself that I, under some pressure to perform a round like that to continue to advance, because I really wanted to make the cut. It's my first time playing The Am, and I like match-play a lot, so I really wanted to keep competing.

Q. I think Jon Rahm was a 63 here at Hoylake. I should remember that, but keeping nice company if that's the case.

MALAN POTGIETER: Very nice company, yeah. That's awesome.

Q. This is always one that you kind of -- well, you've got your Africa Amateur. The amateur here is one of the highlights of the season, isn't it?

MALAN POTGIETER: Yeah, this is very cool. I don't have that much experience with links golf. It's my first time in the U.K., but I'm enjoying it a lot, and the courses are really, really cool.

So I'm enjoying my time here. It's a special event.

Q. Nine birdies today; no bogeys. Was there one that really stood out today, or were they just all just in a haze of wonder?

MALAN POTGIETER: I think the first hole honestly from the first tee shot I decided to hit drive on the first hole, so that kind of -- and just tracked it down there. I had, like, 60 meters in, so that kind of set the tone for the day of being aggressive and then taking advantage of that.

The whole day was just solid. Made putts when I needed to.

Q. Congratulations and look forward to tomorrow.

MALAN POTGIETER: Thank you very much.