Birdies were abundant in the first round of the 2025 Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club. Afternoon thunderstorms skirted the area, allowing players to excel on the Donald Ross design, as the overall field average came in nearly three strokes under par.

However, Aldrich Potgieter and Kevin Roy shone brightest, both signing for 10-under 62s, sharing a new course record. They lead by one stroke over Min Woo Lee, who matched the former course record with a 63.

“I feel like I’ve been playing pretty well the last few weeks. I had a good finish up in Canada,” Roy stated. “Honestly, I wasn’t satisfied with my pro-am performance, but I had a solid practice session and transferred that to the course.”

Potgieter started strong, recording six birdies and an eagle in his first ten holes, while Roy finished with a powerful eagle-birdie combo. Both men find themselves in a critical position as the PGA Tour season closes in.

“That’s probably the biggest goal this year, to make the playoffs, secure the card and then come back next year with all the knowledge of the courses,” Potgieter remarked.

They will need to maintain their momentum over the next few days as notable players like Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, and PGA Tour rookie Luke Clanton closed in with rounds of 66.

The Leaders

T1. Aldrich Potgieter, Kevin Roy (-10):
Potgieter capitalized on early scoring conditions, noting that he could play the course aggressively. His 62 solidified his position at the top alongside Roy, who provided a strong showing right after.

In the aftermath of the PGA Championship, the young South African returned home, revamped his equipment, and was rewarded with an impressive performance.

T3. Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman, Mark Hubbard (-9)
6. Andrew Putnam (-8)
T7. Multiple Players (-7)

Lee, who recently celebrated his first PGA Tour victory, seems to have hit a turning point, displaying his powerful play that has turned heads this season. He expressed relief at playing on a forgiving course like Detroit Golf Club, where the rough isn’t as penalizing.

“It’s been pretty tough for me recently, but this week feels more accessible,” Lee assessed. “The key now is to maintain this level of play and capitalize on the opportunities I get.”

Morikawa, on the other hand, stated his intention to tweak his putting after a disappointing round of 69. “I hit it good enough to play well. My putting felt off; I simply need to gain confidence on the greens.”

With the competition heating up, each player will strive to keep their focus and double down on their plays for the remaining rounds.