Author
Christopher Boan is a staff writer for BetMichigan.com. He has covered sports and sports betting for more than seven years and has worked for publications such as ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.
One of the newest events on the PGA circuit comes back to Detroit Golf Club this week for the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Rickie Fowler seeks to become the first repeat winner in the eventâs brief history, and Michigan sports betting interest is sure to be high.
BetMichigan.com can assess how past winners have done versus their tournament week odds to help us set the stage for whatâs sure to be an action packed four rounds in Detroit.
Golfer | Winner Odds | Top 5 Odds | Top 10 Odds |
Tom Kim | +1200 | +320 | +160 |
Cameron Young | +1400 | +350 | +180 |
Min Woo Lee | +2000 | +450 | +240 |
Akshay Bhatia | +2000 | +450 | +240 |
Stephan Jaeger | +2800 | +600 | +300 |
Alex Noren | +2800 | +600 | +300 |
Maverick McNealy | +3000 | +650 | +320 |
Keith Mitchell | +3000 | +700 | +350 |
Davis Thompson | +3000 | +700 | +350 |
Aaron Rai | +3000 | +650 | +300 |
Last year, Fowler earned his sixth PGA Tour victory by shooting 24-under-par 264 across four rounds. But even that wasnât enough because Adam Hadwin and Collin Morikawa had the same 72-hole score, forcing a three-way playoff. Fowler prevailed in that playoff to take home the $1.584 million winnerâs check after shooting the third-lowest score in the eventâs first five years. However, Michigan sportsbook apps don't love Fowler this week, as he has struggled this season ahead of his return to Detroit.
In 2023, Fowler was the tournament favorite at +1200 odds, according to archives at golfodds.com. He started and ended as the favorite in Detroit even though he hadnât won a PGA Tour event since 2019. Morikawa made it to the playoff after being listed at +1400 entering the event.
The only other player at +1400 or better last year before Round 1 was Tony Finau, who missed the cut. So did other favorites such as Hideki Matsuyama (+1600), Justin Thomas (+2000) and Tom Kim (+2000). Sungjae Kim (T-24th) and Max Homa (T-21st) also were listed at +2000 entering the week. Hadwin was +6000 entering the tournament but made the playoff.
As the week opens, a quartet of young, talented players top the board, with three-time tour winner Tom Kim, fresh off a playoff loss to Scottie Scheffler at The Travelers Championship, opening at +1200. Just behind him is Cameron Young at +1400, who has the dreaded label of "best player yet to win on tour." Young finished in a tie for second in the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic. five strokes behind Finau.
Then comes popular Australian Min Woo Lee (+2000) and two-time tour winner Akshay Bhatia (also +2000), who just played alongside Kim and Scheffler in the final group last Sunday at the Travelers.
If the board is to be trusted, Detroit golf fans could see a young, talented player breakthrough this weekend.
Check out our guide to how to bet on golf in Michigan before you wager.
Year | Winner | Score (To Par) |
2023 | Rickie Fowler | -24 |
2022 | Tony Finau | -26 |
2021 | Cameron Davis | -18 |
2020 | Bryson DeChambeau | -23 |
2019 | Nate Lashley | -25 |
Since 2019, a host of up-and-coming talent has emerged victorious in Detroit. Bryson DeChambeau, now on the LIV Tour, won the 2020 tournament at 23-under. Australian personality Cameron Davis captured the title at 18-under in 2021.
Throw in Finauâs 2022 win at 26-under and Nate Lashleyâs lone tour win at 25-under in 2019 and you can see that these PGA Tour golfers can put up some seriously low scores at the Detroit Golf Club. With the tournament now heading for its sixth incarnation in 2024, a host of pros are returning to Michiganâs biggest city to get their hands on the eventâs $9.2 million purse in 2024.
Of the first five iterations of the event, two were determined in a playoff, with Fowler and Davis coming out on top. Davis won in 2021 against Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann. The largest margin of victory was Lashleyâs six-stroke edge at the inaugural event in 2019.
Check out the best Michigan sportsbook promos before this yearâs event.
USA Today photo by Junfu Han
Author
Christopher Boan is a staff writer for BetMichigan.com. He has covered sports and sports betting for more than seven years and has worked for publications such as ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as: