Bhatia Rallies with Birdies at Rocket Classic, Potgieter Takes Lead

Akshay Bhatia improved his standing with a late surge of birdies at the Rocket Classic, finishing three rounds at 8-under. South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter leads by two shots. Bhatia, ranked 40th in the FedEx Cup, aims to secure his spot in the play-offs.

Akshay Bhatia made a strong late-stage push at the Rocket Classic, securing four consecutive birdies and shooting a 2-under 70, pushing his total to 8-under after three rounds. Despite making the cut on the line, Bhatia stands tied at 55th.

Currently 40th in the FedEx Cup standings, Bhatia is vying for a position in the play-offs, with the top 70 qualifying for the first event. The ultimate goal for Bhatia is the Tour Championship, which offered a $25 million purse in 2024, a year when he finished 26th.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter holds a two-shot lead into the final round, shooting a 7-under 65. Potgieter's competitors include top-ranked Collin Morikawa, who trails by four shots. Potgieter narrowly missed victory at the Mexico Open in February.