DETROIT — On a perfect day for golf, Aldrich Potgieter found himself standing over a crucial 12-foot putt on the crest of the ninth green. He was well aware that making this birdie putt would mean breaking a tie with Kevin Roy to take the solo lead after the first round of the Rocket Classic. Unfortunately, his putt narrowly missed, grazing the left edge, leaving him in a shared position at the top with Roy.
Both Potgieter and Roy ended their rounds with impressive scores of 10-under 62, setting a new 18-hole tournament record. The Detroit Golf Club, known for its forgiving layout since becoming a regular PGA Tour stop in 2019, proved to be an opportune venue for these achievements.
Austrian-born Potgieter, 20, and the seasoned 35-year-old Roy capitalized on the course’s generosity. Potgieter kicked off his round at the 10th hole with a record-setting 7-under 29 on the back nine. Meanwhile, both players posted rounds free of bogeys, featuring an eagle and eight birdies each. Roy’s notable eagle arrived on the mammoth 578-yard, par-5 17th, where he unleashed a 300-yard drive followed by an astounding 288-yard second shot, and triumphantly chipped in from 30 feet.
“It felt like everything was in sync,” Roy noted, still surprised at the distance his 5-wood achieved. “I typically don’t hit it that far, but I must have been riding an adrenaline high.”
Despite their remarkable play, Potgieter and Roy remain vigilant on the shorter course, especially with softened greens due to recent rains. “It felt pretty straightforward,” remarked Andrew Putnam after scoring a solid 64.
Close on their heels, Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman, and Mark Hubbard each carded 63, tying the previous tournament record. Meanwhile, veteran Zach Johnson was among a group just two strokes off the lead. Lee was particularly pleased after the challenges posed by Oakmont at the U.S. Open and the Memorial.
“I was eager to tackle this course,” Lee said. “It’s refreshing to play somewhere you can attack the greens. Hopefully, we see more courses like this—it’s more enjoyable and less taxing.”
This year, despite the course’s relative ease, the competition is particularly fierce. Nine of the world’s top 50 players are participating, headlined by Collin Morikawa, ranked fifth, who opened with a 69. With KK Limbhasut stepping in as his temporary caddie, Morikawa navigates another period of transition while searching for the right match on his team.
“It’s like envisioning your future partner without knowing specifics,” Morikawa philosophized on finding the right caddie. “We’re both adjusting and aiming for synergy while enjoying the journey together.”
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, buoyed by his recent victory at the Travelers Championship, posted a 68. Chatter is growing about Bradley potentially joining the U.S. team for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, igniting excitement among fellow players and fans alike. “Get on the team!” shouted a spectator, though Bradley remained focused on the task at hand, proceeding to sign his card without comment.