The PGA Tour heads to Detroit, Michigan for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. This was new to the PGA Tour schedule a year ago making this just the second year they’re playing at Detroit Golf Club (DGC). With such a small sample size, course history should not be weighed too heavily. We have little info as to how this course will play year to year. Nate Lashley will be returning as the defending champion as he took the debut tournament by storm shooting -25. He had his worst day on Sunday shooting a 70, still winning by six strokes.
Key Stats:
- Good Drive Percentage
- Strokes Gained: Putting
- Greens in Regulation (GIR)
- Scrambling
- Birdie or Better Percentage (BoB%)
On DraftKings this week, the pricing looks a bit different than we are used to since returning to action. The past three weeks (post-COVID) have featured loaded fields from top to bottom. PGA Tour players (with their card) were having trouble getting into the events due to the high volume of elite players who were teeing it up. Everyone was anxious to get back out on the course and this week it seems as if some of the top tier golfers were ready for a break. The field for the Rocgage Classic is stronger than what it brought a year ago in its debut, but cannot be compared to the last three events. Mid to lower-tier golfers are seeing a $1,000-$2,000 price increase on DraftKings this week due to the talent shift in the field. A stars and scrubs approach this week looks the most appealing build.
Hideki Matsuyama ($10,200)
Making just his second start on tour since the PGA returned to action, Matsuyama looks to rebound from his missed cut at the RBC Heritage. Its been just over four years since Matsuyama has missed back to back cuts on the PGA Tour as you have to rewind all the way back to June of 2016. He played in last year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic finishing T13 and came in at the same exact price on DraftKings. Usually excelling in Greens in Regulation, Matsuyama only hit 73.61% over his four rounds at DGC a year ago (T39). He wasn’t impressive statistically here in ‘19, yet was still able to finish inside the top-15. Matsuyama flashed with his irons at the RBC Heritage but struggled on and around the green. If he can clean that up this week, he should be right in the mix.
Also Consider: Tyrell Hatton (10,700) also making just his second start since the PGA Tour returned. Hatton is as hot as any golfer in the world with two wins in his last five starts worldwide. He finished T3 two weeks back at the RBC Heritage.
Kurt Kitayama ($8,100)
Shooting a bogey-free 64 (-7) in the Monday qualifier granted Kitayama a spot in this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic. His ability to shoot low will play to his advantage this week as the winning score is expected to be low (if not lower) like we witnessed last year. The 27-year-old is known for his play on the European Tour but has been active on the PGA Tour throughout the 2020 season. He is a perfect 3/3 this year with his best finish coming at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (T18).
Kevin Kisner ($7,700)
Coming off of back to back missed cuts, Kisner comes in at a discounted price. The 38th ranked player in the world is priced $1,400 cheaper than he was here a year ago in what was a weaker field from top to bottom. Kisner finished T46 at last year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic having his best round on the first day. He finished T29 in the first tournament back a few weeks ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge. As it was mentioned above, Kisner missed his last two cuts but hasn’t missed three in a row in over five years. Talen-wise, he is one of the more under-priced players in the field and is a great value this week on DraftKings.
Maverick McNealy ($7,600)
Following a week off, McNealy looks to return to action this week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He played in the first two events out of the gate where he made both cuts, but failed to turn in a finish inside the top-30. He’s had a hot putter in these two events gaining strokes on the green on both occasions. McNealy has been consistent in making cuts this season as he has only missed one in his last 13 events on tour (Arnold Palmer Invitational). Priced at $7,600, McNealy looks to continue his productive rookie season.
Brandon Hagy ($6,500)
Just before the COVID break, Brandon Hagy was just finding his form with two top-25 finishes in just four events. The last time we saw him on tour was at The Honda Classic, where he finished T8 in the field in BoB% with 15 birdies and T11 in GIR. Hagy has always been a bomber, as he ranks 10th in driving distance this year. With four Par 5’s on the card, he will have plenty of opportunities to let it loose. He provides salary relief under $7k who fits the build of a stars and scrubs lineup.
Also Consider: Sam Burns ($6,900), Chesson Hadley ($6,800), and Cameron Davis ($6,500).
