Akshay Bhatia, Aaron Rai Share 54-Hole Lead at 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic

A three-hour rain delay prevented the third round of the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic from starting on time, but it didn't deviate Akshay Bhatia or Aaron Rai from their quests for victory. Bhatia and Rai are tied at the top of the leaderboard through three rounds at Detroit Golf Club, both sitting at 17-under after shooting 4-under 68 on Saturday. Bhatia and Rai played alongside one another during the third round and went shot-for-shot, and they will be together again in the final pairing on Sunday in Detroit, Michigan.

"I know I can win," Bhatia confidently said after his Saturday round. "I know I have the game and if there's anything I can lean on is being uncomfortable is OK. I love it, I enjoy it so I'm just going to keep using that in my favor."

Bhatia was in the mix at last week's Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT, as the 22-year-old sat one shot back of the lead and played in the final grouping alongside eventual winner Scottie Scheffler. While Bhatia didn't have his best stuff on Sunday in New England, it was another pivotal experience that should only bode well for him moving forward.

"Last week I was right there for a long time and obviously didn't get it done, but I'm excited for this. This is what I want, I want to win. It's just going to be fun whether or not it happens and just being in this position, it's awesome."

Rai has played remarkably consistent golf through 54 holes at Detroit Golf Club, as the 29-year-old Englishman has found the fairway at an impressive 83 percent clip and has hit 48-of-54 greens. He's made only one bogey during the week, coming at the par-3 15th on Saturday to fall out of the solo lead. Rai has three career top-10s on the PGA Tour but still seeks his first victory.

"It's always fun playing with Akshay," Rai said. "We know each other well and it was nice today that we both played well and kind of kept the rounds going and fed off reach other at certain times.... I'm sure it'll be fun tomorrow and I look forward to it."

While Bhatia and Rai are alone at the top of the leaderboard, seven players are within three shots entering the final round. Cameron Davis and Cameron Young will play in the penultimate pairing on Sunday, with both players starting the day at 16-under. Sam Stevens and Erik van Rooyen sit at 15-under, while Luke Clanton, Min Woo Lee, and Joel Dahmen are at 15-under.

It's shaping up to be a thrilling finish from Detroit Golf Club!

Amateur Luke Clanton In The Mix

Florida State's Luke Clanton is making his second career PGA Tour start this week in the Motor City, and he's been able to ride the momentum from his impressive T41 at the U.S. Open where he battled with Neal Shipley for low amateur.

Clanton entered the third round six shots back of the lead but wasted no time climbing up the leaderboard. He rolled in four birdies through the opening seven holes and made another at the par-3 11th hole to reach 5-under for the day. Following a tough bogey at the 12th, Clanton responded with the shot of the round at the par-5 14th, as he stuck his approach shot from 227 yards out to only three feet to tap in an eagle.

Clanton found one final birdie at the par-5 17th and made par at the final hole to finish his third round at 7-under 65. He's now just three shots off the lead entering Sunday in Detroit.

“To be able to be out here and even say I'm in contention to win a PGA TOUR event is pretty nuts,” Clanton said. “It's pretty cool, man."

Will Zalatoris WD's

After sitting at 7-under through 36 holes, Will Zalatoris got off to a nightmarish start on Saturday, as he made three bogeys and a double bogey through his opening seven holes of the round. Despite bouncing back with a birdie at the par-4 8th, Zalatoris abruptly withdrew from the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, citing discomfort after a swing.

“Will experienced some discomfort after a swing today and, out of utmost precaution, made the tough decision to withdraw," said Zalatoris' manager Allen Hobbs in a statement. "It’s important that he listens to his body and gets some rest. He hates to withdraw from the Rocket Mortgage Classic and looks forward to getting back out on the course soon.”

Zalatoris missed nearly the entire 2023 season after undergoing back surgery to repair a herniated disc pressing against his spine. The 2022 FedEx St. Jude's champion isn't set to play next week at the 2024 John Deere Classic, but it will be interesting to see if he plays in the Scottish Open ahead of the year's final major championship across the Atlantic Ocean.

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