Rocket Mortgage Classic: Expert Picks

Tournament Information:

Rocket Mortgage Classic
Date: July 1^st – 4^th
Course: Detroit Golf Club
Purse: $7.5MM ($1.4MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Bryson DeChambeau (-23)

Course

Detroit Golf Club. Built in 1899 by William Farrand, the 100-member club was built off 45 acres of farmland. The North Course is 6,936 (Par 72, course rating 73.6) much longer than the South Course at 5,967 yards (Par 68, course rating 68.7). The North Course is full of trees on either side of a number of holes, the greens waver and deep punishing bunkers litter the areas around the greens. Most of the tournament will be played on the North Course with a minor piece occurring on the South Course. This will fall among the shorter courses on the tour—placement is key here (over power).

Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Sepp Straka (first selection this year) – Only one golfer has two top 12 finishes at the Detroit Golf Club. He’s my favorite this tournament.

Doc Redmon (first selection this year) — Doc had a real strong play two weeks ago at the Palmetto Championship where he finished 2^nd. He ALSO was 2^nd here two years ago and 21^st last year. His iron game is quite strong—47^th in strokes gained approaching the green.

Hideki Matsuyama (second selection this year) — Hideki has also been a top 21 finisher here the last two years. He’s made seven consecutive cuts, including the Masters win.

Cam Tringale (first selection this year) – Cam finished 5^th here in 2019 and followed it up with a 20^th place last year. He’s 38^th in FedEx cup ranking and 25^th in strokes gained putting.

My Bench 2

Brian Stuard (first selection this year) — Brian, much like Cam, was 4^th here in 2019 and 20^th last year. He’s 68^th in strokes gained around the green and he finished 30^th last week at the Travelers Championship.

JJ Spaun (second selection this year) — JJ was a top 30 finisher here both years.

Fun Fact: This is just the third year of Detroit hosting this tournament.

2020-2021 Stats

(1^st percent would be the top golfer picked every week)

Starting 4: average finish 39^th (30^th percent)
Bench 2: average finish 50^th (38^th percent)