After two incredibly intense weeks of golf between the U.S. Open and Travelers Championship, you can’t blame some of the biggest names on the PGA Tour for skipping this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan.
Rory McIlory, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth are all giving it a rest, meaning bettors can take advantage of a weaker field with more value across the board.
Rickie Fowler enters Thursday as co-favorite at +1400, for instance, alongside defending champion Tony Finau. Rising stars like Byeong Hun An (+4000) and Ludvig Aberg (+3500) are similarly available for solid prices.
Let’s take a look at the best bets heading into the opening round at Detroit Golf Club.
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Best Outright Bets
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Rickie Fowler (+1400)
It’s not just that Rickie is due, it’s that he’s also happened to play pretty well at the Rocket Mortgage Classic over the course of his career. Aside from a missed cut last year, Fowler finished nine-under-par or better in four starts there. Fowler’s total resurgence this year makes it realistic he shoots a career-best at Detroit Golf Club.
Justin Thomas (+2000)
Is JT back? He kinda feels back. After missing the cut at the Memorial and U.S. Open, Thomas went 70-64-62-67 to finish T9 at the Travelers Championship.
Cam Davis (+3500)
Another former champ back in the field, Davis finished 14th in 2022. He’s posted just one round above 69 in last eight rounds at Detroit Golf Club and is a solid bet to continue that trend this week.
Who's a lock to finish Top 10?
Rickie Fowler (+180)
Adding this play purely because it’s Rickie Fowler at plus-money for what should be a huge week for him. It’s understandable if you don’t want to take him outright, but there’s little reason not to go for a layup here.
Byeong Hun An (+400)
He’s played well here in the past and has come on strong lately with three Top 25 finishes in his last five events. A weaker field helps An out a lot this week.
Who's missing the cut?
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Sungjae Im (+270)
This is purely a value play. Im has struggled of late, missing the cut at the U.S. Open, Charles Schwab Challenge and PGA Championship. In between he’s finished T41 at the Memorial and T29 at the Travelers.
In all likelihood, this field will benefit him, but the price is too good to ignore for a player who’s been off his game (for the most part) lately.
Who's a long-shot you like?
(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Ludvig Aberg (+3500)
This could shape up as a great week for the rookie to assert himself on Tour. His odds at +360 to finish in the Top 10 are even more enticing.
Adam Hadwin (+6000)
Hadwin has a fourth-place finish here in 2020 and came in 37th last year. He’s capable of putting together strong performances and rocketing up the leaderboard, as evidence by his four Top 10s this season.
Prop bets!
Patrick Cantlay tees off from the 18th hole during the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s Pro-Am at Detroit Golf Club on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
First Round Leader
Sepp Straka (+5500)
Rickie Fowler Round 1 Score 67 Or Better
Yes (-125)
Will There Be A Hole-In-One?
No (+125)
Winning Margin
3 Strokes (+650)
