Rocket Mortgage Classic Score Predictions (How Will Top Players Fare at Detroit Golf Club?)
The top golfers on the PGA Tour already have their spot in the FedEx Cup Playoffs locked up, so this week's penultimate regular season event, the Rocket Mortgage Classic, is all about the fringe players doing their best to secure their membership for next season.
With that said, there are still a few big name golfers trying to improve their standing before the playoffs begin in a couple of weeks.
Before we dive into some score predictions, be sure to watch this week's episode of Green on the Greens, and take a look at my betting preview to see my three favorite outright picks to win.
Using the top golfers on the odds list at WynnBET Sportsbook, here are my predictions for what they'll shoot this week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Rocket Mortgage Classic Score Predictions
Winning Score: -21
This is the fourth year of existence of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and two of the three editions of it have been complete birdie fests. Bryson DeChambeau won it with a final score of 23-under in 2020, and Nate Lashley won the inaugural version of the event with a final score of 25-under.
Consider those two winners won with a few strokes to spare, and last year's winner, Cam Davis won at 18-under, I think we're going to see a score somewhere in-between.
I think 21-under par is a happy medium at Detroit Golf Club.
Patrick Cantlay Score Prediction: -18
I'm not betting on him myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if the betting favorite, Patrick Cantlay, wins the tournament. At the very least, I'd be shocked if he's not in contention. He hasn't finished worse than 14th in five-straight starts,
His one downfall, which could affect his final score, is that this will be the first time he'll be competing at this event so his inexperience at Detroit Golf Club may hurt him early in the tournament. And in birdie fest events, you can't afford to fall behind, even for a round.
Tony Finau Score Prediction: -15
Tony Finau struggled at times this PGA Tour season, but he put it all together last week and grabbed his third career Tour win. With that being said, don't necessarily expect a repeat performance. He only has four top 10 finishes all season, and six top 25s, despite playing in 21 events.
He won't miss the cut, but I think he's never going to really be in contention.
Will Zalatoris Score Prediction: MC
This is my bold take of the week, please don't butcher me for it.
Will Zalatoris leads the field in total strokes gained heading into the event, but I truly don't think this course fits his style of play. The longer and more difficult the course, the better Zalatoris performs. This week's Donald Ross-designed track, is the complete opposite of that. It's short, and easy.
Also, him missing the cut isn't unheard of. He's missed the cut in three of his last seven starts.
This prediction might make me look stupid, but in fairness, I did say it's a bold call.
Cameron Young Score Prediction: -21
If you read my betting preview or watched this week's episode of Green on the Greens, you already know that Cameron Young is my pick to win, so of course I'm going to predict him to shoot the same that I guessed would be the winning score.
He has four second place finishes this year, so it's about time he gets a win. He's the best driver of the golf ball in the field, his short wedges are dialed in, and he can drain birdies with the best of them. He checks every box this week, so I like him quite a bit at +1800.
Max Homa Score Prediction: -20
Max Homa should be more talked about this week. He already has multiple wins on the PGA Tour, and he's won events with much stronger fields than the one he's competing in this week.
Detroit Golf Club will present a lot of short wedge shots into greens, and few are better from this distances than Homa. He ranks fourth in proximity to the hole from 50-125 yards out. That's extremely favorable, and I think he'll give the winner a run for his money.
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.