We’re back in Detroit for the 3rd installment of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at DGC.
Last year, Bryson won. So there’s that.
Let’s take a look at the guys who made the trip up to Michigan.
Field
Phil Mickelson hasn’t done much since winning the PGA, but to be honest he doesn’t really have to. This will be Lefty’s tournament debut.
Obviously Bryson is here to defend his title.
Jason Day, who had a solid week at the Travelers, is in the field. This one was surprising to me. I watched him around TPC River Highlands and his back didn’t look good. Hopefully it’ll be a little better in Detroit.
Other big names in the field: Hideki Matsuyama, Matty Wolff, Jason Kokrak, Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Patrick Reed, Max Homa, and Kiz.
Course
Detroit Golf Club
Par 72
Little over 7,300 yards
Donald Ross design
Poa greens
Front 9 is tree-lined, while the back is open and gives up a lot of birdies. Flattest course on the PGA Tour.
Weather
Data Golf Information
Course Fit: 1. Albany, 2. Sea Island GC, 3. Port Royal Golf Course
Trending (of the players in the field): 1. Patrick Reed (Last 3 starts: T49, T18, T7), 2. Hideki Matsuyama (T23, T62, T26)
% Chance to Win (Baseline, Course History and Fit): 1. Bryson DeChambeau (6.6%), 2. Patrick Reed (6.2%), 3. Webb Simpson (4.8%)
Betting Odds
T9’s Picks for the Week
Kevin Kisner. He had a really weird week at the Travelers, but ended with a 63 and in a tie for 5th.
Last season at this event, Kiz finished solo 3rd behind Bryson and Wolff.
His iron play was middle of the pack at the Travelers, but his putting was fantastic – 3rd in the field. He hits a lot of fairways, 18th on Tour this season. With a hot putter, he can contend again this week.
Top 20 (+135)
A name you probably didn’t expect to see, Mark Hubbard.
He missed 4 cuts in a row from the RBC Heritage to the Wells Fargo, but since has made 5 straight – his best finish coming last week at the Travelers (T13)
Last year in Detroit, Hubbard finished T12.
Stats wise, he’s not gonna knock your socks off. But he hits a lot of fairways, and was able to finish inside the Top 15 in Connecticut while losing strokes in approach. If he’s able to have an okay week with his irons, I think he can make enough putts to have another good week.
Top 40 (+260)
Maverick McNealy has had two solid starts in a row, with a T20 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, and T30 at the Travelers last week.
He’s had some high finishes this season – a Top 5 at the RBC Heritage and was runner up at Pebble.
In 2020, McNealy had a Top 10 finish at this tournament (T8).
Top 40 (+135)
Just like the guy I bet on to win last week, this man is due for a win, Will Zalatoris.
He’s been struggling of late with a MC at the US Open, and a T59 at the Charles Schwab. The start before that however, was a T8 at the PGA.
Stats wise, he’s still one of the best iron players on the planet – which is essential at a tournament where you need to make a lot of birdies. He’s 24th on Tour this season in driving distance, which will come in handy around Detroit Golf Club.
The only thing, his putter stinks. Dude can’t buy putts. But, in his Top 10 at Kiawah, he lost over a stroke per round on the greens. So it doesn’t need to be clicking for him to make a run.
Top 10 (+200)
Doc Redman is a guy to watch this week. He’s made 6 of 7 cuts, and just finished T2 at the Palmetto Championship.
His SG numbers over his last 24 rounds have been pretty good, and I love those APP and Putting ranks…
In 2020, he was T21 here.
In 2019, Doc shot a 62 to Monday qualify for the RMC. He shot 68-67-67-67 that week and finished 2nd to Nate Lashley.
Over the first 2 playings of this tournament, Doc Redman leads all players in score to par at -32.
Top 30 (+155)
Cover via Freep.com (Brain Spurlock, USA Today)
twilight9.com 