Rocket Mortgage Classic First-Round Leader Odds, Predictions & Best Bets
By Michael Harrison in Golf
Published:
- The Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan tees off Thursday, July 28th
- Patrick Cantlay is the +1600 favorite over Tony Finau to be atop the leaderboard after day one
- See the best bets and Rocket Mortgage Classic first-round leader odds in the article below
The second last regular season PGA Tour event of the season heads to the Detroit Golf Club for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Just five of the top-20 golfers in the world are competing, with Patrick Cantlay the favorite to add to his trophy case.
There are plenty of opportunities for sleepers and longshots to make some noise given the relative lack of high-end talent competing this week. Players will be jockeying for position to get into the top-125 for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. In two of the three editions of this championship, the winner made this their maiden PGA Tour triumph (Nate Lashley 2019, Cameron Davis 2021).
In this article, we’ll explore which players have the best chance of being the leader after day one, along with which players have been fast starters on Thursdays this season.
2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic First-Round Leader Odds
| Golfers | Odds | Tee Time |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Cantlay | +1600 | 7:40am |
| Tony Finau | +2500 | 7:18am |
| Will Zalatoris | +2800 | 12:43pm |
| Max Homa | +3000 | 12:54pm |
| Denny McCarthy | +3500 | 7:07am |
| Cam Davis | +3500 | 7:18am |
| Cameron Young | +3500 | 12:43pm |
| Adam Scott | +4000 | 1:05pm |
| Maverick McNealy | +4000 | 1:49pm |
| Kevin Kisner | +4500 | 1:05pm |
| Keegan Bradley | +4500 | 1:05pm |
| Russell Henley | +5000 | 6:56am |
| Webb Simpson | +5000 | 7:29am |
| Gary Woodland | +5000 | 7:40am |
| Matt Kuchar | +5000 | 7:51am |
Odds as of July 26th at DraftKings Sportsbook
The forecast calls for it to be mainly sunny throughout the day. Temperatures will be at 70 degrees for those teeing it up first, approaching mid 80’s for those starting their rounds in the afternoon. The wind will be much more fierce for those playing past noon, with gusts ranging from 11-15 miles per hour for the AM golfers, reaching 28 miles per hour for those finishing in the evening.
A benefit for those teeing it up in the morning is the exact same as it is every week – less bumpy greens with fewer players chewing them up.
Cameron Young Coming In Hot
Cameron Young (12:43 pm tee time) put together a spellbinding Open Championship two weeks ago, grabbing the first round lead, before ending up as the runner-up to Cameron Smith. That marked his sixth top-three result in his rookie PGA Tour campaign, clearly showing he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough.
He has been hit or miss this year, however, as he came into that event sporting three poor results. However, he’s one of the better players in the first round.
2021-22 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders
| Golfer | Average Score | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Matt Kuchar | 68.29 | +5000 |
| 4. Russell Henley | 68.53 | +5000 |
| 6. Patrick Cantlay | 68.71 | +1600 |
| T-9. Cameron Young | 69.00 | +3500 |
| T-9. Wyndham Clark | 69.00 | +8000 |
| 11. Jonathan Byrd | 69.13 | +14000 |
| 12. Patton Kizzire | 69.20 | +11000 |
| 14. Joel Dahmen | 69.23 | +8000 |
| T-15. Denny McCarthy | 69.25 | +3500 |
| T-15. Webb Simpson | 69.25 | +5000 |
Young is second in SG: off-the-tee for the season and ninth in birdie average. In the last eight opening rounds, he ranks first in SG: tee-to-green, fourth around-the-green, fifth in ball striking and sixth in total strokes gained.
Pick: Cameron Young (+3500)
Kevin Kisner Loves This Course
Kevin Kisner (1:05 pm) has played all three iterations of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, making the cut in each instance. It’s the last two years where he’s really been strong at the Detroit Golf Club, finishing third in 2020 and tied for eighth last year.
Of those golfers competing this week, he’s tops in total strokes gained at this track.
Kisner’s Strokes Gained Ranks Last 12 Rounds At Detroit Golf Club
| Total | Ball Striking | Approach | Tee-To-Green | Putting | Short Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 19 |
Kisner has also been playing very well of late, recording a tie for sixth at the Travelers Championship, then following that up with a T-21st at the Open Championship.
Pick: Kevin Kisner (+4500)
Greyson Sigg An Intriguing Longshot
Greyson Sigg (8:57 am) has quietly put together a string of solid performances. In his last quartet of golf tournaments, he’s racked up top-30’s on each occasion.
He saved his best performance for last week, when he flirted with contention, eventually settling for a seventh place tie at the 3M Open.
Sigg’s Strokes Gained Ranks In Last 12 Rounds
| Approach | Ball Striking | Total | Tee-To-Green | Off-The-Tee | Putting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 36 |
Sigg is playing in the morning, which will give him a significant advantage. He’s been solid on Thursdays also, ranking 39th in scoring average amongst all players this season. As far as longshots go, he’s a super intriguing possibility, given his stellar play of late.
Pick: Greyson Sigg (+8000)
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Sports & Entertainment Writer
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 20 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.
