Akshay Bhatia uses 64 to take Rocket Mortgage lead

(Photo credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Akshay Bhatia used a sizzling closing stretch to post an 8-under 64 and take the first-round lead at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Thursday at Detroit Golf Club.

Bhatia, 22, is seeking his third PGA Tour title in a roughly 11-month span after winning the Barracuda Championship last July and the Valero Texas Open in April.

His bogey-free round put him one stroke a