Ted Potter went 29 holes before making his first bogey yesterday at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. As a result, he stands at 9-under 135 over the par-72 Detroit Golf Club course. There are nine others at that number heading into round 3 today, all chasing Nate Lashley, whose 63-67-130 is 14 under par, one ahead of Cameron Champ (66-65-131) and two ahead of Charles Howell III (65-67-132). 

    Birdies were flying so fast that it took 5 under par to make the cut, and 71 players will be teeing off today. Ted goes off at 12:40 in the company of Doc Redman, the 2017 U. S. Amateur champion who was the No. 1 Monday qualifier. 

    After shooting 4-under-par 68 on Thursday, Ted got off to a magnificent start in round 2, making five birdies on the first seven holes. He sank a putt of 10 feet, 3 inches on No. 1, 13'-9" on No. 2, 2'-10" on No. 3, 5'-9" on No. 6 and 8'-5" on No. 7. At the time, he was 5 under for the day, 9 under overall, and tied for sixth. After that however, he made just the bogey on 11 and a lone birdie on 16, where he hit a 190-yard iron within 8 feet, 8 inches and canned it to get back to 9 under.  He ended up deadlocked for 12th.

    The purse for the city of Detroit's first-ever PGA event is $7.3 million. If Ted holds his position over the final 36 holes, 12th place (alone) is worth $167,900. If he can move up the leader board, the winner will receive $1,314,000, while second place is worth $788,400, and third $496,400.  

    Gator Billy Horschel made the cut right on the line with 69-70-139, but Brian Gay missed the cut by one with 74-66-140. Seminole rookie Hank Lebioda also missed it with 70-71-141, 3 under.  

    Also missing the cut were Dustin Johnson, Gary Woodland, Chez Reavie, Bubba Watson and Zack Sucher. Rookie Viktor Hovland, the 2018 U. S. Amateur champion, made it on the number with 70-69-139.  

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