ROCKET FIRED ALDRICH READY TO ENDEERE HIMSELF TO ILLINOIS

ALDRICH POTGIETER, at odds of 125/1, was the surprise winner of last week's Rocket Classic.

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But maybe not such a surprise to readers of On The Green as the 20-year-old South Africans potential has regularly been highlighted in this column.

Fresh off his maiden success, Potgieter will tee it up at this week's John Deere Classic which takes place at its usual spot, TPC Deere Run in Illinois, it's regular venue for the past 25 years.

Potgieter is 50/1 to follow up this week at the Deere Classic. It’s a generous price but it is very difficult to put two successive victories together.

TPC Deere Run produces an annual birdie fest with 11 of the last 15 renewals won with under par scores in the 20's.

The course has wide open fairways and, at just over 7,200 yards, is short by today’s standards - so the winner will be a player with the sharpest iron approach play and a hot putter.

This is traditionally a rest week for most of the world’s top players ahead of next week's Genesis Scottish Open and the following week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

There are just seven players from the World's top 50 at Deere Run this week and the Classic provides a great opportunity for young players to record a maiden success.