Speculation is growing that Aldrich Potgieter will switch to LIV Golf after withdrawing from the Utah Championship. The 21-year-old has had a roller-coaster year, and his performances have been inconsistent leading up to his shocking withdrawal.
Potgieter Says Withdrawal Down To Illness
The South African youngster, who claimed his first PGA Tour win earlier this season, teed off at the Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort and posted an even-par 71 in round one. But he withdrew before his second round due to illness — either food poisoning or a stomach bug, as he later revealed on social media.
“Hey everyone, just wanted to clear things up since I’ve been getting a lot of messages. I had to withdraw after round one because l came down with some pretty bad food poisoning (or a stomach bug) . Nothing serious just need some rest to recover. Appreciate all the messages and Support,” Potgieter said in a statement.
The sudden exit came amid a swirl of off-course developments. Just hours before his withdrawal, news emerged that Potgieter would leave his longtime agency, GSE Worldwide, to join Entertainment Sports Partners (ESP) in January. GSE represents many players linked to LIV Golf, while ESP represents the outspoken anti-LIV figure Ernie Els. Observers find the timing curious, and many see it as a potential sign of a move toward the Saudi-backed breakaway league. Potgieter is also friends with many LIV members and is close to Louis Oosthuizen, who runs a junior academy in South Africa named after his LIV team — Stinger GC.
Speculations Continue Over Potgieter’s Future
The Utah withdrawal raised eyebrows not just because of the illness claim, but because of the context: a critical FedEx Cup Fall stretch where Potgieter is trying to secure his place among the top players for the 2026 Signature Events. Rumours of a LIV Golf switch have been circulating for weeks, and Potgieter’s name has featured in reports as a possible target for the Saudi league’s 2026 roster.
Potgieter’s 2025 season has been filled with plenty of highs and lows. He broke through with a win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in June, but has struggled with form and consistency since then. The youngster also withdrew from the John Deere Classic and then missed the cut at both the Scottish Open and The Open Championship before finishing tied for 59th at the FedEx St. Jude Playoffs. He later recorded a tied-33rd finish at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, a no-cut PGA Tour event just before the Bank of Utah Championship.
At this stage, though, nothing has been confirmed beyond his illness withdrawal and agency change. The speculation continues, and fans will be watching closely to see where Potgieter plays in 2026.
Main Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
