Aldrich Potgieter narrowly maintained his lead at the Mexico Open despite a turbulent third round, finishing 20-under par with a one-stroke advantage over Brian Campbell. The 20-year-old South African’s power-driven game faces a critical test Sunday at Vidanta Vallarta.
Potgieter’s Saturday struggles included a wayward tee shot on the par-3 17th, forcing a recovery from bushes to salvage bogey. Campbell capitalized with a 60-foot birdie on the ninth hole and a closing birdie for a 64. He’s playing a different course than we are, Campbell admitted.
It’s been honestly fun to watch... I’m playing my game, he’s playing his game, and we’ll see where that stacks up.
Key factors shaping Sunday’s finale:
- Potgieter’s 329.4-yard driving average – longest in the field
- Campbell’s bogey-free third round and clutch putting
- A Masters invitation for the winner
Stephan Jaeger lurks three strokes back after a late rally, while Justin Hastings – fresh off his Latin American Amateur win – sits tied for ninth. The victor also secures entry to The Players Championship, PGA Championship, and five $20 million signature events.
Potgieter, who played Augusta National as 2023 British Amateur champion, remains focused: We’ll save [our best] for tomorrow. With five par-5s and wide fairways, his distance advantage could prove decisive – but Campbell’s precision poses an intriguing counterplay.
