Rasmus Hojgaard climbed to the top of the Rocket Classic leaderboard with a third-round 61, tying the course record at Detroit Golf Club. The 25-year-old from Denmark recorded nine birdies without a single bogey. He now leads by two strokes over the second-round leaders and is primed for a strong final round.
Hojgaard made over 130 feet of putts during his round. The 61 is his best PGA Tour round, surpassing his previous best of 62. He entered the week after missing two cuts in a row and hadn't finished better than a tie for 24th since March. This strong showing gives him hope as he ranks 125th in playoff points, needing to climb the standings to make the top 70 after next week's Wyndham Championship.
Rasmus' twin brother, Nicolai Hojgaard, sits at 8 under par through two rounds. Both brothers were on the course Saturday afternoon, making the tournament a family affair. Nicolai remains in contention as the final round approaches. Conditions were nearly perfect Saturday morning, but past rounds suggest the course could become harder in the afternoon with firmer greens and more wind.
Past records and course changes
The course record of 61 was first set in 2025 by Jake Knapp when the course was a par-72. It's now a par-70, and Hojgaard joined Peter Malnati and Cameron Young in matching the record. Hojgaard finished ahead of Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Patrick Fishburn before they played their third rounds.
Turning point for Hojgaard
Hojgaard's performance marked a key turnaround in his season. He made the cut at 3 under after three rounds, a big step for a player having struggled recently. As the final round approaches, he has a real chance to capture his first PGA Tour victory.
Looking ahead at the Rocket Classic
The final round could be a dramatic finish. With both Hojgaard brothers in the mix, the tournament has taken on a new energy. Expect the course to become more challenging as the greens firm up and the wind picks up. Fans are eager to see if Rasmus can hold onto his lead and if Nicolai can make a move. This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Oh, brothers! Rasmus Hojgaard takes Rocket lead; twin in the hunt, too