Rocket Mortgage Classic preview: TV times and betting tips
The PGA Tour moves east to Detroit for the final scheduled week of behind-closed-doors events and it’s time for a break for the likes of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and last week’s winner Dustin Johnson, while Tiger Woods is still no closer to a return. So who will come out on top, scroll down for my Rocket Mortgage Classic betting tips…
The details
Venue: Detroit Golf Club, Michigan, USA
Date: July 2-5, 2020
Course stats: Par 72; 7,334 yards
Course summary: A traditional tree-lined course complete with sloping greens. The Donald Ross design features two courses, with the majority of the event being played on the North course. Four par 5s give players an opportunity to post low numbers, as evidenced in last year’s event.
Purse: $7.5 million
Defending champion: Nate Lashley (-25)
Television coverage
Thursday: Featured groups from 11.30am, live coverage from 8pm (Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event)
Friday: Featured groups from 11.30am, live coverage from 8pm (Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event)
Saturday: Featured groups from 1pm, live coverage from 6pm (Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event)
Sunday: Featured groups from 1pm, live coverage from 6pm (Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event)
Rocket Mortgage Classic betting tips: Each-way tips
Viktor Hovland (22/1 with bet365) has secured progressively better finishes – T23-T21-T11 – since the restart to become the first man from Norway to make it inside the world’s top 50. Hovland is demonstrating that he has the ability to mix it with the best on tour, and this weaker field should further help his cause. With a 13th-place finish last year, any continuation of his current form should see him go close again.
Doc Redman (45/1) has grabbed my attention since the resumption. Redman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee in a strong field at River Highlands and has a 2nd-place finish in this event last time out. He also ranked T5 for Driving Accuracy on his way to securing his best PGA Tour finish of the season (T11). If Redman can improve his putting, which is going to be important in what could be a birdie-fest in Detroit, he has a great chance of being in the mix come Sunday.
Kevin Na (40/1) produced a strong finish at River Highlands to secure 5th place, a week after missing the cut. The break obviously benefited Na, returning with an impressive performance to finish inside the top 6 for both Strokes Gained: Putting and Driving Accuracy this week. With a win already in the bag from earlier in the season, and some form heading into an event that suits strong putters, back Na to shoot some low numbers in Detroit.
Rocket Mortgage Classic betting tips: The long shot
Ryan Armour (175/1) made vast improvements after finishing T74 at the RBC Heritage to grab a T6 finish at River Highlands. Playing with McIlroy on Sunday, Armour made five birdies on the back nine to secure his best finish of the season so far. The Ohio-born golfer also finished 2nd in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week, and T7 for Driving Accuracy. After a great performance last week, and heading to a course where he strung three really nice rounds together last year, Armour is great value for an each-way bet.
Rocket Mortgage Classic betting tips: Top tip
I have tipped Bryson DeChambeau for the last two weeks and I make no apology for doing so. He is in great form, shooting a combined 46-under-par for the last three tournaments. In a weaker field, DeChambeau is the obvious favourite. Had his price not been so short I would have continued to tip him this week, as it will not be long before he wins again.
A very worthy alternative is Tyrell Hatton (16/1) who nearly secured us our first win of the season at the RBC Heritage, only to fall short down the stretch on Sunday. Hatton took a week off during the Travelers, which shouldn’t be a problem for a player who has demonstrated he can challenge immediately after a break with a 3rd place finish at Harbour Town. Statistically, the course suits him. He ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Putting, 1st in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, and 1st in Strokes Gained: Total. If he can control his temperament for four rounds of golf, we may well see him lift the trophy at the 18th on Sunday.
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