Bhatia and Rai remain inseparable on Detroit summit

Akshay Bhatia and England’s Aaron Rai shot four-under par 68s to remain co-leaders through the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Saturday in Detroit.

Bhatia and Rai began the round sharing the lead, but the overall leaderboard has tightened. Rai had five birdies and a bogey, while Bahatia navigated his third consecutive round without a bogey.

They are both at 17 under going into Sunday’s final round.

Cameron Young (67), who birdied three of his last five holes, and Australia’s Cam Davis (66), who had birdies on three of his first four holes and completed a bogey-free round, are one shot back at 16 under.

Sam Stevens (66), who birdied the final two holes, and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen (68), who didn’t have a bogey, are at 15 under.

LEADERBOARD

So, there will be plenty of contenders on Detroit Golf Club’s North Course.

Amateur Luke Clanton (65), Joel Dahmen (68) and South Korea’s Min Woo Lee (66) are tied for seventh at 14 under.

Clanton climbed to a share of second place by the time he finished his third round before others took advantage of scoring chances in the early evening.

“It’s my first PGA Tour event and to be in contention where I’m at right now is awesome,” Clanton said.

Clanton, a 20-year-old Florida State golfer, had played earlier in the month in the US Open, making the cut and tying for 41st place. On Saturday, he eagled the par-5 14th hole, just two holes after his only bogey of the round.

Defending champion Rickie Fowler shot 67 and moved to 11 under.

The start of the third round had a significant delay and tee times were revised, with golfers using the first and 10th tees as starting spots.

Will Zalatoris, citing a back injury, withdrew during the third round. He was seven under through the first two rounds but three over through eight holes Saturday before ending his round.

There are no Irish in the field at this year’s tournament.