As the Rocket Classic unfolds at Detroit Golf Club, much of the spotlight shines on South African phenom Aldrich Potgieter, one of the most exciting young talents on the PGA Tour. But alongside every great player is a trusted voice carrying the bag, and in Potgieter’s case, that man is Rance De Grussa.
While fans focus on booming drives and birdie putts, the role of the caddie remains one of golf’s most underappreciated secrets. De Grussa may not be a household name yet, but he’s a crucial part of Potgieter’s team.
Here are five fast facts everyone should know about the man helping steer one of golf’s rising stars.
1. A Perth Pro Behind the Bag
GettyAldrich Potgieter of South Africa walks off the ninth tee during the first round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 26.
Rance De Grussa hails from Perth, Western Australia–an area more famous for tennis than tour caddies. His LinkedIn lists him as a Golf Industry Professional based in Perth. This already hints at someone well-connected in elite golf circles. His work with Potgieter brings a global flavor to Detroit’s bag stands.
2. LPGA Pedigree with Major Champions
Before teaming up with Potgieter, De Grussa spent time on the LPGA Tour, notably working with Australian star Minjee Lee. He joined Lee’s team in 2023 after she split with veteran bagman Jason Gilroyed.
While his stint was shorter than her permanent relationship with other caddies, his offer of cultural affinity and technical awareness helped Lee capture titles like the BMW Ladies Championship–highlighting De Grussa’s ability to strategize on big‑stage greens far from home.
3. Worked with Sunshine Tour Winners
GettyJason Scrivener of Australia with his caddie Rance De Grussa at the first tee during Day One of The DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 18, 2021.
De Grussa isn’t new to tour-level pressure. He previously carried the bag for Jason Scrivener, a fellow Australian and winner on the Sunshine Tour. The two developed synergy on the fast, shifting conditions typical of Australasian golf. That exposure sharpened De Grussa’s green‑reading and wind‑management skills, tools he now applies in Midwest wind across Detroit’s course.
Working on the Sunshine Tour also taught him adaptability. Many of those events are staged on tight budgets and in challenging travel environments. Caddies often juggle logistics, travel headaches, and last‑minute schedule changes–experiences that prepare them for the unpredictability of the PGA Tour. De Grussa’s time with Scrivener and other professionals forged a mindset built on resilience and staying composed when things don’t go exactly to plan.
4. Balanced Approach: Quiet, Calculated, Reliable
Unlike more vocal celebrity caddies, De Grussa keeps a low profile. He favors quiet strategizing–pinpointing wind direction, advising club choices, and ensuring emotional poise. For a rookie like Potgieter, this calm approach can be a stabilizer, particularly when making critical decisions amid chase groups and tournament tension.
Observers note that De Grussa has a gift for sensing when a player needs reassurance and when to let them work things out alone. This balanced temperament can be the difference between a frustrated bogey streak and a steady comeback. In an era when analytics dominate practice rounds, De Grussa also prioritizes feel and intuition, trusting his eyes and instincts alongside the numbers.
5. Family Roots, and a Lifelong Love for Golf
Outside of the ropes, Rance De Grussa’s life has always revolved around family and golf. He and his brother Tim grew up as junior members at the West Australian Golf Club, eventually joining Mt Lawley Golf Club as they developed their skills. According to Pro Tour Golf College, it was their mother who first booked them golf lessons, sparking the brothers’ deep connection to the sport.
Though both boys showed promise, their paths eventually diverged. Tim went on to win the West Australian Junior Championship, but later chose to prioritize university studies over competitive golf. Rance, by contrast, became utterly captivated by the game. After making and representing the West Australian Junior State Team at the National Championships, he decided golf would be his life’s pursuit.
His journey wasn’t easy, involving the grueling grind of mini-tours and the financial challenges faced by aspiring pros. Even then, he acknowledged the vital support of his parents, close friends, his sponsor, and Pro Tour Golf College for helping him live his dream of playing professional tournament golf.
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