Rocket Mortgage Classic preview: What to know for the week in Detroit
The PGA Tour heads to Michigan this week for the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
Following three successful events complete with star-studded fields to kick off the 2019-20 season restart, this week's group has a lot to live up to. Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, and Webb Simpson headline a 156-man field competing for the $1.35-million winner's check.
When: July 2-5
Where: Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan
How to watch
| Date | Channel | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Thurs. July 2 | Golf Channel | 3-6 p.m. |
| Fri. July 3 | Golf Channel | 3-6 p.m. |
| Sat. July 4 | Golf Channel CBS |
1-3 p.m. 3-6 p.m. |
| Sun. July 5 | Golf Channel CBS |
1-3 p.m. 3-6 p.m. |
Featured-group coverage can be streamed online wherever PGA Tour Live is available in your area from the first tee shot until 3:00 p.m. ET daily.
The field
With most of the game's biggest names taking a much-deserved break after playing three consecutive tournaments, the field in Detroit is understandably weaker than the ones that preceded it. DeChambeau, Simpson, and Patrick Reed are the only top-10-ranked players in attendance with golfers such as Fowler, Sungjae Im, Viktor Hovland, Hideki Matsuyama, and Tyrrell Hatton rounding out the rest of the notables.
Featured groups (all times ET)
Group: Sungjae Im, Tyrrell Hatton, Brandt Snedeker
Thursday - 7:35 a.m.
Friday - 12:50 p.m.
Group: Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Nate Lashley
Thursday - 7:45 a.m.
Friday - 1:00 p.m.
Group: Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Brendon Todd
Thursday - 12:50 p.m.
Friday - 7:35 a.m.
Group: Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama
Thursday - 1:00 p.m.
Friday - 7:45 a.m.
The full set of groups and tee times can be found here.
The course
Detroit Golf Club is a 7,340-yard, par-72 course designed by Donald Ross in 1916. The property consists of two different tracks but mainly uses the North Course plus a single hole from the South to create an 18-hole lap for the PGA Tour pros to take on.
Similar to Ross' other venues visited by the Tour (Sedgefield Country Club for the Wyndham Championship and East Lake Golf Club for the Tour Championship), Detroit GC is a traditional layout with trees lining narrow fairways and small greens that are well-protected by bunkers. It also won't reward only the longest hitters on Tour.
Past winners
Last year's event was the inaugural running of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which Lashley dominated after being a late addition to the field. Here's how the leaderboard shook out to provide a glimpse at the type of players who can do well at Detroit GC.
| Place | Player | To Par |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Lashley | -25 |
| 2 | Doc Redman | -19 |
| T3 | Rory Sabbatini | -18 |
| T3 | Wes Roach | -18 |
| T5 | Joaquin Niemann | -17 |
| T5 | Brian Stuard | -17 |
| T5 | Ted Potter Jr. | -17 |
| T5 | Brandt Snedeker | -17 |
| T5 | Patrick Reed | -17 |
| T5 | Cameron Tringale | -17 |
Betting corner
Here are the odds to win for the top portion of the betting board:
Bryson DeChambeau +600
Field +1000
Webb Simpson +1000
Tyrrell Hatton +1200
Hideki Matsuyama +1500
Viktor Hovland +1500
Patrick Reed +1800
Rickie Fowler +2000
Sungjae Im +2200
Tony Finau +2200
J.T. Poston +3000
Scottie Scheffler +3000
Bubba Watson +3500
Kevin Na +3500
Jason Day +4000
Lucas Glover +4000
Rory Sabbatini +4000
Adam Hadwin +5000
Brandt Snedeker +5000
Brian Harman +5000
Doc Redman +5000
A full betting preview with picks can be found here.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)