Amanda Balionis calls out PGA Tour fans for ‘very questionable’ vote

Amanda Balionis poked fun at her Instagram followers after a breakthrough victory for South African sensation Aldrich Potgieter on the PGA Tour.

The big-hitting rookie defeated Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk in a playoff at the Rocket Classic on Sunday to claim his first PGA Tour victory. The 20-year-old, who leads the tour in driving distance this season, entered the final round as the leader at Detroit Golf Club, but a three-under-par final round was only good enough for a place in a three-man playoff.

It was the second time this season that Potgieter contested a playoff on the PGA Tour, losing out to Brian Campbell at the Mexico Open in February. This time, however, he was able to get over the line to deliver on the promise of an impressive debut season stateside.

Kirk was eliminated with a bogey at the second extra hole before Potgieter finally got the job done on the fifth hole of the playoff. After he and Greyserman both made birdies at the par-five 14th, they headed to the par-three 15th, where the South African drained an 18-foot birdie putt to seal the victory.

Ahead of the final round in the Motor City, CBS Sports reporter Balionis took to Instagram to poll her followers on who would get the victory. Potgieter was backed by 39 per cent of voters, while 24 per cent took Jake Knapp, who finished one shot back of the leaders in a tie for fourth.

Collin Morikawa, who had to settle for a tie for eighth place, was chosen by 17 per cent of voters, and 20 per cent took the field.

Potgieter became the youngest South African winner on the PGA Tour© Raj Mehta/Getty Images

However, Balionis was quick to call out people who had made their predictions after the result had already been confirmed. She wrote: “These results are very questionable since some of you are only answering after the fact,” adding a laughing emoji.

After a grueling final round culminated in a landmark victory, Potgieter was met on the final green by Balionis, who congratulated him on becoming the youngest South African to win on the PGA Tour.

“It was definitely a tough day,” he replied. “The start didn’t go my way, I struggled to make putts, left a lot short. Finally got one to the hole, and I just saw the ball roll end over end, and I knew it was going to go in.”

Balionis asked Potgieter about his journey to becoming a PGA Tour winner, which included moving to Australia aged eight before having to return nine years later after the COVID-19 pandemic significantly limited his playing opportunities.

“We had to give up a lot, moving to Australia, moving back. Emigrating is definitely not the easiest thing,” he said. Coming alone at the start of my career to the States and giving it a grind, and having my dad here has helped so much.

“Yeah, big thanks to my family, friends, coaches, everyone who’s been involved to kind of get me to this point. I’m just happy to walk away as a winner.”

Potgieter banked $1.7 million and 500 FedEx Cup points for his win, lifting him to 36th in the FedEx Cup standings and boosting his hopes of qualifying for the 30-man Tour Championship in August. He also broke into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time, reaching No. 49 as a result of his victory on Sunday.