The years final major is looming into view and with The Open a little over two weeks away, a top quality field headlined by defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickleson and Hideki Matsuyama will head to Michigan for the third edition of The Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Detroit Golf Club will welcome some of the worlds best players and it is a course that can be got at.
The flattest golf course on The PGA Tour, in the two previous editions of The Rocket Mortgage, the winning totals have been -25 and -23. Therefore this week it is essential that you pick golfers that have the ability to shoot not just low but really low.
After experiencing some near misses in the past two weeks, I am looking to get back to winning ways with my weekend selections. Here are some of my favorite bets for the tournament. All bets courtesy of DraftKings.
Bryson DeChambeau
It’s not original, but it would be foolish to overlook last years champion who is the current favorite at +775.
Although he hasn’t won that 2nd major, DeChambeau has had a great year on Tour. Winner of The Arnold Palmer, he has had six top tens this season. In his two most recent tournaments The U.S. Open and The Travelers, DeChambeau has been bang in contention before critical mistakes have taken him swiftly out of the running. The golf has been there but the consistency hasn’t.
As you would expect, DeChambeau is the longest off the tee on The PGA Tour averaging 322 yards per drive. His distance has enabled him to be ranked 5th in overall shots gained from tee to green, so his game is clearly in good nick.
Hoping that DeChambeau can string four good rounds together this weekend. He is clearly the man to beat and it makes sense to have the mad scientist in your betting stable this weekend.
Joaquin Niemann
Joaquin Niemann heads to The Rocket Mortgage Challenge ranked 25th in The FedEx Cup Rankings and at 31 in the world. It has been another solid, if not spectacular, season for the diminutive Chilean. It’s been a relatively lean period for Niemann who in his last five tournaments has stats that read – T30, T50, MC, T31, and T36. However, despite his patchy form, Niemann is still playing some decent golf. Currently ranked 12th in shots gained off the tee, 32nd in shots gained in putting, 27th in shots gained tee to green, and 8th in overall scoring.
Niemann boasts some decent course form, finishing 5th in the 2019 event and was one of the few players who recorded a bogey free round. Currently priced at +2200 for the win, +400 for a top five and +225 for a top ten, I think Niemann has a good shot of adding to his one PGA Tour title.
Sungjae Im
One of my favorite players, Sungjae Im a.k.a. the air mile king, is currently priced at +3500 to claim victory, +700 for a top 5, and +350 for a top 10 finish.
The most active player on Tour, Im comes into The Rocket Mortgage Classic off the back of several disappointing performances missing the cut in 3 of his last 6 events. However, a good performance is never too far away and I’m backing the South Korean to rediscover his form this week.
Despite his inconsistencies, Im still ranks reasonably high in several key statistical fields. Ranked 34th in Birdie Average, 38th in Scoring, 14th in Driving Accuracy, Im has the game to compete this weekend. He has proven he can shoot low with his fine 2nd in the 2020 Masters where only Dustin Johnson could stop the South Korean from claiming his maiden Major title.
As you would expect with a man that seems to play every week, Im has played in both previous versions of the Rocket Mortgages finishing 37th and 53rd. I’m backing Im to top his previous efforts and recapture some of his best form and at +3500 I think he represents a good value play.
Cameron Champ
This week’s long shot is American youngster Cameron Champ who is currently priced at a massive +16000 for the victory, +2500 for a top 5 finish and +1100 for a top ten placing.
Coming into this weeks event Champ’s recent form has been woeful, missing the cut in 5 of his last 6 tournaments. However, this week Champ returns to a course he has had some minor success at.
He has played in both editions of The Rocket Mortgage, making the cut twice and placing in the top 20 in 2019.
Despite his recent poor form, Champ ranks third in total driving distance, 25th in eagles and 7th in shots gained off the tee. When hot, Champ has the game, class and temperament to succeed. Returning to a course he clearly likes, I think +16000 is way too big a price and I think Champ can give us some real value and outrun his large odds.
Passionate writer about golf and the PGA Tour, you won’t find me on the fairway but instead hacking my way round the course. Terrible driver of the ball, even worse putter.
Love all sports but have decided to make my sporting life as miserable as possible by supporting Tottenham Hotspur and the Dallas Cowboys, who between them have gone almost a century without a major league title.
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