Fowler Leads the Rocket Mortgage Classic at 20 Under in a Bid to End Drought

Fowler Leads the Rocket Mortgage Classic at 20 Under in a Bid to End Drought
Rickie Fowler drives off the first tee during the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament at Detroit Country Club in Detroit on July 1, 2023. (Carlos Osorio/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
7/1/2023
Updated:
7/1/2023

DETROIT—Rickie Fowler birdied six of his last eight holes Saturday to surge into the Rocket Mortgage Classic lead at 20 under, giving him another chance to end a four-year PGA Tour victory drought.

Fowler had an 8–under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Adam Hdwin at Detroit Golf Club. Two weeks ago in Los Angeles in the U.S. Open, Fowler squandered a chance with a closing 75 in a fifth-place tie.

Hadwin had a 63 to tie the tournament record. Fellow Canadian Taylor Pendrith was third at 18 under after a 67. Pendrith bogeyed two of his last four holes.

Monday qualifier Peter Kuest (65) and Aaron Rai (68) were 17 under. Taylor Moore (69) was another stroke back with four other players, including Collin Morikawa, who shot a 67 for the second straight day.

Play was suspended for 1 hour, 42 minutes because of lightning in the area and the schedule for the final round was adjusted in the hopes of completing the final round with inclement weather in the forecast.

The leaders will tee off Sunday morning just before 9 a.m.—about 5 hours before the original schedule— and threesomes will start on both the front and back nine.

By Larry Lage