Akshay Bhatia rockets into lead in Detroit after big finish

Akshay Bhatia enjoyed a sizzling closing stretch to post an eight-under-par 64 and take the first-round lead at the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

Bhatia, 22, is seeking his third PGA Tour title in less than a year after winning the Barracuda Championship last July and the Valero Texas Open in April.

His bogey-free round put him one stroke ahead of Taylor Montgomery and Michael Kim. Defending champion Rickie Fowler opened with a six-under 66 and is tied for fourth with Will Zalatoris, Eric Cole, Germany's Matti Schmid and England's Aaron Rai.

Bhatia had four birdies through 15 holes before a birdie-eagle-birdie finish. He stuck his approach at the par-four 16th hole inside six feet to set up birdie. Then came a chip-in eagle from just off the green at the par-five 17th, giving him the lead at the time. He closed his day with a seven-foot birdie putt.

"It's always nice to finish like that," Bhatia said. "This tournament's always kind of a birdie-fest, so birdies and eagles help a lot. It's nice to finish that way."

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