THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Aldrich Potgieter

Mixed Zone

Q. Let's talk about grinding out there today for the 72.

ALDRICH POTGIETER: Yeah, it was tough. I couldn't really get on a good start. I think it was 5, waiting for the green, and hit it a little left and put myself in a dicey situation and made bogey on a drivable hole, so that was a tough start. Just missed a couple of putts that could have dropped and decided to leave off the last two, so was happy to get a good five, six holes?

Q. How massive was that eagle at 17?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: Yeah, that was big. When I didn't make birdie on 14, it was kind of getting stressful and made bogey on 15, it was getting a little tight and we needed to on the last three and made par on 16 where I had a really good chance as well hitting it close to the green. It was tight, but we got there eventually.

Q. With your length off the tee, obviously you did well taking advantage of the par-5s. 14 you didn't but did well at 17 and a massive par save at 18 with that putt.

ALDRICH POTGIETER: Yeah, unfortunately I hit a great drive at 18 and unfortunately hit it into the bunker and kind of had to lay up. I couldn't really afford hitting the lip, so we kind of just took that play and left myself a really nice number in.

But yeah, I think if I can keep hitting my driver well the next two days, depending on where the cut is going to go, but I think we can really do some damage if some putts fall.

Q. What do you do now for the afternoon, sit and watch how it unfolds?

ALDRICH POTGIETER: I think I'll probably see my putting coach, work with Mike a little bit and see what we can change for the next two days and then sit and wait.