DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Early morning thunderstorms brought a brief delay to the third round of the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club. Despite the weather challenges, players were eager to resume play, with Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai leading the pack at 17 under through 54 holes.
Bhatia maintained his lead for the third consecutive night, while Rai secured his spot at the top for the second evening in a row. The two players, who had started the weekend sharing the leaderboard, faced stiff competition as their two-stroke lead dwindled to just one stroke with 18 holes remaining.
As the round unfolded, Rai made an early impact with a birdie on the first hole, maintaining his lead through the front nine. However, a slip-up on the par-3 15th brought Bhatia back into contention. The two players matched birdies on the 17th hole, maintaining their lead over competitors like Cameron Young and Cameron Davis.
A total of 11 players found themselves within four strokes of the leaders, including seasoned winners like Erik van Rooyen and emerging talents like amateur Luke Clanton. With the final round approaching, the tournament remained wide open for anyone to clinch victory.
In an exciting turn of events, Nick Dunlap, following his victory earlier in the year, presented a chance for Luke Clanton to make history as another amateur winner on the PGA Tour. With a strong performance at the NCAA Championship and U.S. Open, Clanton stood poised to follow in Dunlap’s footsteps and achieve a rare accomplishment in golf.
Elsewhere in the competition, former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, Will Zalatoris, was forced to withdraw due to a hip injury during the third round. With concerns over his health, Zalatoris prioritized his recovery after a challenging period of tournament play.
As the tournament neared its conclusion, the odds and picks shifted with unexpected contenders emerging. With the leaderboard in flux, players like Min Woo Lee showed potential for a late surge, adding excitement to an already thrilling competition. Will the leaders hold onto their positions, or will a dark horse emerge to claim victory in the final rounds? Only time will tell as the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic heads towards an exciting conclusion.