The PGA Tour continues this week with the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club, Detroit Michigan.
The 156 field with the top 65 including ties making the cut will all be competing for a share of the $8.4m prize purse with the winner collecting the Rocket Mortgage Classic Title and a cheque for $1.35m.
Detroit Golf Club will be playing 7,370 yards long this week, it’s a par 72 parkland lay out where dry conditions have meant the key attribute will be accuracy and precision especially on and around these smaller target pins.
Cam Davis returns to defend the crown he won last year when defeating both Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann in a three way play-off.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout with little or no breezes for the players to contend with.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf red button with live coverage starting at midday on Thursday.
So let’s move on with this weeks Rocket Mortgage Classic selections.
Maverick McNealy
For my main golf tip in Detroit I’m going to single out Maverick McNealy at 40/1 EW BetVictor 1-6 places.
Yip, you’ve probably realised it’s the same main selection as last week but at a much better price. Last week only 25/1 was on offer for McNealy to win the 3M Open so perhaps because the 26 year old from California never performed as well as expected, the firms are offering generous pickings.
He still finished inside the Top 50 and did play much better over the weekend apart from carding a quadruple bogey on the 72nd and final hole.
Before last week's effort in Minnesota, McNealy had recorded three Top 20 finishes at the previous number of attempts which included two Top 10 spots. T9th just a couple of weeks back at the Barracuda Championship, T16th at the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club and T8th at the John Deere Classic.
It’s definitely clear for all to see that the young Californium has talent written all over him and a victory on the PGA Tour seems imminent.
I’m prepared to give Maverick McNealy another chance this week to finally break his duck and claim that more than deserved long awaited maiden PGA crown safe in the knowledge that a place in the top six will return a tidy profit.
Max Homa
For my next pick I’m going to advise Max Homa 25/1 EW Skybet 1-8 places.
The 31 year old from Burbank, California has tasted success four times now on the PGA Tour which include a recent victory at the Wells Fargo Championship.
This year alone Max Homa has no less than nine Top 20 finishes with three of them being in the top ten .His other victories to date since his breakthrough maiden title in 2019 when again winning the Wells Fargo Championship include The Genesis Invitation and the Fortinet Championship, both last year in 2021.
Max Homa is currently sitting at 20th in the world rankings and you’ll be hard pushed to find more than a coupe ranked players above him at this event in this field.
Two key stats that could play a huge part in proceedings at Detroit Golf Club this week, especially with firm conditions, are that Homa ranks 20th this year on the PGA Tour Tee To Green and 13th SG Total. Another stat definitely worth a mention that could also play its part is Going For The Green where Homa ranks 17th this season.
As mentioned earlier these tricky and elevated smaller dance floors will require accuracy and precision to hit the target and Max Homa could be the man yet again doubling up on his PGA crowns this year with another victory, this time at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.
Russell Henley
For my next selection I’m going to point you all in the direction of Russell Henley 55/1 EW Bet365.
The 33 year old from Macon, Georgia is another with PGA trophies in the cabinet but they are gathering dust as the last time Henley won on the PGA circuit was way back in 2017. It’s been five years since Henley tasted success but that could all chance this weekend in Michigan.
It nearly happened earlier this year when Henley was unlucky to finish runner up at the Sony Open in Hawaii and since that effort he has three Top 20 finishes; 14th at The American Express, 13th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and T13th at The Players Championship.
These are all events, without being disrespectful ,with much more star-studded fields so Russell Henley could use this opportunity with most of the top ranked players missing to his advantage.
Interesting stats that caught my eye and will be crucial to his week are Henley’s figures around the greens. He’s ranked 3rd on the PGA Tour Approach The Green, keep an eye on that figure and come Sunday evening I can guarantee the winner will be productive in this department.
If Henley ranks anywhere near 3rd Approach The Green on Sunday then he will be in contention to bag his first victory since 2017, it’s not as if it wasn’t coming because it almost certainly is anytime soon, possibly this weekend.
Davis Riley v Webb Simpson
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet Nap and this week in Detroit I’m all over Davis Riley to beat Webb Simpson over 72 holes 10/11 Bet365 5pts Super Banker Nap.
Rocket Mortgage Classic Tips
- Maverick McNealy 40/1 EW BetVictor
- Max Homa 25/1 EW Skybet
- Russell Henley 55/1 EW Bet365
- Davis Riley to beat Webb Simpson 5 pts Super Banker Nap 10/11 Bet 365
Cheers for Marcus Kinhult last weekend , would never have picked him without your write up. Had him in an e/w double with Grillo paying 74/1. Brilliant tipping once again.
Well done ged72, that’s what I like to hear & long may it continue my friend starting this weekend. Good luck & all the best ⛳️