With Nate Lashley leading the way with a 9-under-par 63, the "these guys are good" group showed just how good they are yesterday in Detroit in the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The early projected line in the first-ever event at the Detroit Golf Club is 3 under, and there are 74 at that score or better.   

    In his first tournament in several weeks, Ted Potter made a flawless return, posting a slick 4-under-68. Ted began on the back nine early in the a. m. in eye-opening fashion. After a good drive, he left his second, from 157 yards, 49 feet, 11 inches from the hole. With a three-putt green a distinct possibility, Ted miraculously canned it to get off to a great start. He then birdied No. 13 and shot 34 on the nine. 

    On the front, Ted made birdies on 3 and 7 for another 34 that left him tied for 33rd. One of his only stumbles came on a back-nine par 5 when he hit the green in two, again nearly 50 feet from the hole. He left his first putt about 10 feet short, and wound up three-putting for par. With the early cut projected at 3 under, he still has his work cut out for him today when he plays in the afternoon. 

    Ryan Armour and Nick Watney are deadlocked for second behind Lashley with 64s, and there is a seven-way logjam at 7 under that includes red-hot Chez Reavie, Charles Howell III and veteran Stewart Cink.  

    Billy Horschel fared best of the two Gators playing in the $7.3 million event with a 3-under 69, while Brian Gay is in a tie for 142nd at 2-over 74. Seminole rookie Hank Lebioda is tied for 75th at 2-under 70, same as new PGA Tour addition Viktor Hovland. 

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