PGA Tour star lifts lid on withdrawal amid LIV | Golf News

Aldrich Potgieter, the 21-year-old PGA Tour winner, pulled out of the Bank of Utah Championship because of a “stomach bug.” After carding a level-par 71 at Black Desert Resort during Thursday’s opening spherical, he withdrew from the competitors due to sickness.

Potgieter took to Instagram to make clear his state of affairs: “Hey everyone, just wanted to clear things up since I’ve been getting a lot of messages,” he wrote.

“I had to withdraw after Round one because I came down with some pretty bad food poisoning (or a stomach bug).

“Nothing critical, just need some relaxation to get well. Appreciate all the messages and help.”

The rookie golfer has had an impressive first season on the PGA Tour, clinching the trophy at the Rocket Classic following a nail-biting playoff in June and securing at least two more years of playing privileges on the PGA Tour. He earned his tour card after finishing 29th on the Korn Ferry Tour last year.

Despite having secured two years of play on the PGA, rumors have been swirling that the rookie might be moving to LIV Golf, which is currently on a break, with their season set to resume in February. Currently, five LIV franchises are looking to recruit full-time replacements for the 2026 campaign.

However, Potgieter seemed to quash those rumors on social media. He posted: “What a rookie season it has been on the PGA Tour. Grateful to get my first win, make the FedEx Cup playoffs, and take a lot of positives from the yr.

“Excited for a bit of an offseason coming up with the Nedbank and Dunhill in South Africa to finish things off.

“Lots to also work on before January rolls around for the start of the 2026 PGA Tour season. Big thanks to my crew, household, pals and all the help I get from the followers.”

He currently holds 52nd place in the rankings, positioning himself to potentially secure spots in next season’s Signature Events – the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational – provided he maintains a finish between 51st and 60th.

On Friday, the PGA Tour released a video interview with Potgieter on X, where he revealed, “Getting into those first two occasions… could be large for me.

“It’s important to start off the year strong. It’s nice to start at Amex and Farmers but to get into those two big events gives me a bit of a headstart against some of the other guys.

“Were wanting ahead to staying inside that top-60 and doing what we are able to to make sure we get into those spots.”

Potgieter has also parted ways with his previous management company, GSE Worldwide, switching to Entertainment Sports Partners.

GSE’s roster features numerous LIV players, including Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Paul Casey, Joaquin Niemann, Jason Kokrak, Louis Oosthuizen, Carlos Ortiz and Sebastian Munoz.

Entertainment Sports Partners represents four-time major champion Ernie Els, who has been a vocal opponent of LIV.

Els has previously branded LIV as “circus golf”. “I perceive that the blokes go because of the money. It’s just a ridiculous quantity, and you get to a sure level in your profession, you will have to contemplate it,” Els explained.