THE 154TH OPEN

July 16, 2026

Aldrich Potgieter

Mixed Zone

Q. Long process to get here, and then you finally made it. So how did it feel at first?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: It feels good. Game feels really good. Played on Monday in that qualifier, and that was also good golf. That front nine was a little dicey, but I was hitting it good and had some good opportunities and saw some putts fall on the back nine. So that was good.

Q. How many times did you try to qualify?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: It was a few times. I mean, waiting on Tuesday for someone to withdraw was pretty stressful. I don't know if Matti Schmid got in, the second alternate, but it's a big week anyway, just putting that aside.

Happy we made it, and happy to have played some decent golf.

Q. After what happened at the PGA, what is your vision now for the week? Do you feel comfortable in the majors?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: Yeah, I really like the golf course this week. I think this is probably one of my favourite Open venues that I've looked at and watched so far. We're looking forward to a great weekend and hopefully play well tomorrow to make that.

Yeah, going from the PGA, being in the lead with that pressure and not closing it out quite there, but yeah, I think my game is trending in the right direction as well to maybe contend a little bit more.

Q. When you say, watching what happened here in the past, any memories of South Africans playing here and what they did?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: No, I just -- I think it played a little different in last years. It's really dry out here now as well. So I think it -- I like it when it's dry and I can use some of the links stuff, where in the past years it's so wet the Americans can kind of play their type of golf as well.

I just like the setup this week, and I think the golf course suits my game as well.