The Detroit Golf Club plays host to the inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic on Thursday (AEDT), as a host of the world’s top 20 players vie for a pair of non-exempt entries into next month’s Open Championship.
Replacing the Quicken Loans National, this is the first time the PGA Tour has held an event in Detroit. This year’s US Open winner Gary Woodland returns to the course following his thrilling win at Pebble Beach, while Dustin Johnson is currently the only player at single-digit odds.
2019 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC BEST BET
Hideki Matsuyama – $15.00
The complete package that looks destined for a win sooner rather than later. Matsuyama has finished Top 25 in his last four starts and has also been one of the most consistent players from the tee-to-green. Troubles with the putter plagued Matsuyama earlier in the year but he’s found some form lately. The Japanese sensation led the US Open in birdies made.
2019 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC TOP 5 FINISH
Ryan Moore – $7.50
Backs up following last week’s T15 at the Travelers, Moore’s first finish inside the Top 25 since outright third at the Texas Open back in April. The 17-year Tour veteran quietly ranks third in fairways hit this year, while he’s also won once before on a Donald Ross-designed course similar to the one in Detroit.
2019 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC TOP 10 FINISH
Gary Woodland – $2.50
Safe to say this year’s US Open winner is way over the odds. Woodland’s putting has been the biggest improvement in his game so far while he’s also been one of the most accurate ball strikers off the tee. The 14th hole in Detroit is a tricky par 5 with a pond fronting the green, suiting a long bomber of Woodland’s calibre. Don’t be surprised if he strings together four solid rounds to finish inside the Top 10.
2019 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC TOP 20 FINISH
Sungjae Im – $3.00
South Korea’s most promising 21-year-old finished strongly for outright seventh at the Canadian Open a fortnight ago before backing up with a T21 at the Travelers last week. It would take something special for Im to win it, but with 11 Top 25 finishes already this season, he’s worth taking a flyer on to finish Top 20.
2019 ROCKET MORTGAGE CLASSIC FIELD
Dustin Johnson – $7.00
Returns from a T35 at Pebble Beach a fortnight ago, Johnson’s third finish outside the Top 30 in his 12 tournaments so far this year. The 35-year-old has been among the favourites all season long and it’s not hard to understand why. Picking veteran players on an unfamiliar course is a smart move this weekend, and we should see Johnson bounce back after an extended break. He ranks second on Tour from the tee-to-green, which should help on the tricky 543-yard 14th.
Rickie Fowler – $13.00
Was in the hunt at the US Open following a dazzling opening round 66 before fading down the stretch. Consistency across also four days has been a problem for Fowler this year but he should be a chance this weekend with the putter. This year’s Phoenix Open winner is currently averaging four birdies per-round to rank 19th in the PGA’s putting rating.
Chez Reavie – $26.00
Reavie ranked first from tee-to-green during his win in Connecticut last week, while he also ranked first in pars made at the US Open a fortnight ago. He also ranks first on Tour in fairways hit and is well known for his giddy hot streaks. The form stacks up for another competitive weekend.
Kevin Kisner – $29.00
The three-time Tour winner found himself back inside the Top 20 last week at the Travelers after carding a brilliant final round 67. The result was Kisner’s first Top 20 in individual play this year, but there’s still plenty left to be desired with the putter as he shot five bogey’s overall. Kisner’s play on the fairways has come along nicely, but he’s worth leaving out this week.
Brandt Snedeker – $34.00
Don’t let recent results fool you, Snedeker is one to watch this weekend. He owns seven Top 20 finishes this year, three of which have come in his last five tournaments. Continues to wow with the short clubs- Snedeker ranks third in the PGA’s around-the-green rating and 11th in putting.
Kevin Streelman – $46.00
Easy to forget Streelman finished outright fourth at the Memorial before a Top 20 finish at the Travelers last week. He’s well-rested compared to others this weekend and has consistently found the fairway to rank inside the Top 40 on Tour.