Rocket Classic 2025 Betting Tips: Six to win in Motor City

After Tommy Fleetwood agonisingly let a first victory on US soil slip through his fingers in last week’s Travelers Championship – allowing Keegan Bradley to steal the trophy with a brilliantly clutch birdie on the final hole – the PGA Tour now heads to Michigan for the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

Our resident golf tipster Jamie Worsley is, as always, ready with his comprehensive preview. Six players stand out to him as each-way value this week, so let's check out his Rocket Classic 2025 Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights...

*You can bet on the tournament and check out the latest Rocket Classic Odds over on betfred.com

TOURNAMENT HISTORY 

The Rocket Classic debuted on the PGA Tour in 2019 and has taken place at Detroit Golf Club's North Course each year.

The first edition was won by Nate Lashley with an impressive 25-under-par total. It has firmly established itself as a birdie fest in the following years, averaging a winning score of -22.33 over its six renewals.

Last five winners:

• 2024

Winner: Cam Davis (-18)

Runners-up: Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee, Aaron Rai, Davis Thompson (-17)

• 2023

Winner: Rickie Fowler (-24, playoff)

Runners-up: Collin Morikawa, Adam Hadwin (-24)

• 2022

Winner: Tony Finau (-26)

Runners-up: Patrick Cantlay, Taylor Pendrith, Cameron Young (-21)

• 2021

Winner: Cam Davis (-18, playoff)

Runners-up: Joaquin Niemann, Troy Merritt (-18)

• 2020

Winner: Bryson DeChambeau (-23)

Runner-up: Matthew Wolff (-20)

Aussie Cam Davis became the first player to win multiple Rocket Classic titles in 2024, beating a quartet of PGA Tour winners – Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee, Aaron Rai and Davis Thompson – by one shot. He returns to defend this week.

THE COURSE

Legendary architect Donald Ross designed Detroit Golf Club's North Course, which opened for play in 1916. It has undergone several renovations since – from names such as Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills and Bruce Hepner – and it is scheduled for further alterations immediately following this week's event, when Tyler Rae will commence his Ross-inspired restoration.

The par and yardage of the venue stays the same, with this par 72 measuring 7370yds. It possesses 4x par 3s (160-233 yards), 10x par 4s (372-489 yards) and 4x par 5s (552-635 yards).

This traditional course is tree-lined yet spacious, heavily bunkered, and predominantly flat. With water in-play on just one hole – the 555yd par-5 14^th – there is little to cause the players concern, and it's easy to see why the scoring is usually so low.

The gently doglegging fairways are wide and while plenty of bunkers litter the landing areas, they're not too penal. However, for those who stray a little too far from the short grass, the four-inch-thick bluegrass rough is less forgiving.

A bentgrass/poa mix covers the small greens (as it does the majority of the course) and it's on these putting surfaces where players will be tested most this week – ranking inside the top 15 in putting difficult in each of the last five years. They're not exactly the same as when Ross originally designed them, but his characteristics remain, with these raised surfaces reasonably undulating and often sloping from back-to-front.

That being said, the approach challenge into them is one of the simplest on tour. They're usually receptive and easy to hit, and the questions asked around the greens aren't too puzzling.

There are scoring chances around every corner. The par 5s can be easily got at and they possess some of the least difficult par 4s around, with many there to be attacked with a drive and a wedge.

Ultimately, if you give PGA Tour pros wide fairways, receptive greens, and a lack of severe punishment, they are bound to take it apart. Unless the conditions have something different in store for us this week, we should expect to see another low-scoring contest at Detroit GC.

THE WEATHER

The area has seem some record-breaking temperatures in recent days. While it will cool down a touch in time for the event, temperatures will remain high, and the humidity is forecast to bring with it the threat of thundery showers over the course of the tournament.

That should result in another receptive layout, and although the players may have to battle blustery conditions on Friday – when we could see gusting winds at 28mph+ – it looks calm for the rest of the week.

KEY STATS

• SG: Approach/Greens-in-Regulation/Proximity from 50-150yds

Quality iron play continues to be a major asset in this event, and it is especially important for players to bring a strong wedge game to Detroit Golf Club, due to frequent approaches between 50-150yds.

Cam Davis ranked 11^th in approach and 23^rd in greens-in-regulation when winning the event for the second time last year. Of the four players tied for 2^nd, Akshay Bhatia ranked 2^nd in approach and 1^st in GIR; Aaron Rai ranked 3^rd in approach and 6^th in GIR.

Rickie Fowler ranked 2^nd and 4^th in GIR on his way to victory in 2023. Meanwhile, his two closest challengers, Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin, ranked inside the top 10 in approach.

2022 winner Tony Finau ranked 6^th in approach and 1^st in GIR. The top of the leaderboard was dominated by high-class iron play that year, with six of the top nine ranking inside the top 10 in approach.

Cam Davis hit his irons similarly well when winning this event for the first time in 2021, and it was also an area in which our inaugural winner Nate Lashley excelled, ranking 6^th in approach and 4^th in GIR.

• SG: Putting (bentgrass/poa or bentgrass)

The putter is always a handy weapon to have in a birdie fest, and it's no surprise to see the club play an important role in previous renewals.

Cam Davis ranked 20^th on the greens last year and 22^nd when he won the title in 2021. In addition, 2023 and 2022 champions, Rickie Fowler and Tony Finau, ranked 12^th and 14^th respectively.

It was a much more important asset in each of the first two editions of this event: Bryson DeChambeau led the field on the greens in 2020, and Nate Lashley ranked 2^nd in 2019.

• Driving Distance
• Birdie or Better %

Although I don't think it's an absolute necessity to contend, there's no denying that the temptingly wide fairways has favoured bigger hitters.

Additionally, we want players who can make a bunch of birdies this week; as such, those who rank highly in birdie or better % are also of interest.

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSE)

Shriners Open (TPC Summerlin)

The Shriners Open at TPC Summerlin possesses stronger correlating form with Detroit Golf Club than any other course. It is another low-scoring event that provides one of the simplest driving tests on tour. Meanwhile, the bentgrass greens are among the easiest to hit, and it requires players to be dialled in with their wedges.

Notable correlating form:

Bryson DeChambeau:

Rocket Classic (1^st) / Shriners (1^st)

Patrick Cantlay:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Shriners (1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd)

Matthew Wolff:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Shriners (2^nd, 2^nd)

Adam Hadwin:

Rocket Classic (2^nd, 4^th) / Shriners (2^nd, 4^th)

Taylor Pendrith:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Shriners (3^rd)

Davis Thompson:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Shriners (5^th)

Lucas Glover:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / Shriners (3^rd)

Alex Noren:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / Shriners (3^rd)

Cameron Tringale:

Rocket Classic (5^th) / Shriners (2^nd)

Brian Stuard:

Rocket Classic (5^th) / Shriners (4^th)

Eric Cole:

Rocket Classic (6^th) / Shriners (3^rd)

Rico Hoey:

Rocket Classic (6^th) / Shriners (3^rd)

John Deere Classic (TPC Deere Run)

The John Deere Classic is a birdie fest played on a tree-lined course with wide fairways and small bentgrass greens. TPC Deere Run ranks almost identical to Detroit GC in ball-striking difficulty, possesses similar scoring averages on the par 4s/5s, and again, necessitates a high level of approach play from 50-150yds.

Notable correlating form:

Bryson DeChambeau:

Rocket Classic (1^st) / John Deere (1^st)

Davis Thompson:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / John Deere (1^st)

Collin Morikawa:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / John Deere (4^th)

Cam Young:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / John Deere (6^th)

Aaron Rai:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / John Deere (7^th)

Lucas Glover:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / John Deere (1^st)

3M Open (TPC Twin Cities)

The tee-to-green challenges at Detroit GC and TPC Twin cities are somewhat similar, possessing comparable levels of difficulty in approach and around-the-greens. With generous fairways, thick bluegrass rough and bentgrass greens, there is plenty to tie these two courses together.

Notable correlating form:

Tony Finau:

Rocket Classic (1^st) / 3M Open (1^st)

Matthew Wolff:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / 3M Open (1^st)

Collin Morikawa:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / 3M Open (2^nd)

Adam Hadwin:

Rocket Classic (2^nd, 4^th) / 3M Open (4^th, 5^th)

Taylor Pendrith:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / 3M Open (5^th)

Alex Noren:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / 3M Open (3^rd)

Cameron Tringale:

Rocket Classic (5^th) / 3M Open (3^rd)

Brian Stuard:

Rocket Classic (5^th) / 3M Open (6^th)

Wyndham Championship (Sedgefield Country Club)

Sedgefield Country Club is another tree-lined Donald Ross design. The greens have some of the same characteristics and are equally tricky, while a strong wedge game can take players a long way.

Notable correlating form:

Aaron Rai:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Wyndham (1^st)

Doc Redman:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / Wyndham (3^rd)

Kevin Kisner:

Rocket Classic (3^rd) / Wyndham (1^st)

Lucas Glover:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / Wyndham (1^st)

Ryan Armour:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / Wyndham (4^th)

Taylor Moore:

Rocket Classic (4^th, 6^th) / Wyndham (5^th)

Eric Cole:

Rocket Classic (6^th) / Wyndham (7^th, 14^th)

ISCO Championship (Keene Trace Golf Club)

The stress-free tee-to-green test at Keene Trace Golf Club is extremely closely matched to Detroit GC. Its fairways are generous, and the approach shot distribution, per DataGolf, is very similar, with approaches from 50-150yds commonplace.

Notable correlating form:

Troy Merritt:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / ISCO (1^st)

Taylor Pendrith:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / ISCO (6^th, 11^th, 13^th)

Doc Redman:

Rocket Classic (2^nd) / ISCO (9^th)

Lucas Glover:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / ISCO (5^th)

Ryan Armour:

Rocket Classic (4^th) / ISCO (5^th)

Rico Hoey:

Rocket Classic (6^th) / ISCO (2^nd)

THE FIELD

World No. 5 Collin Morikawa is the top-ranked player in this week's field and one of just two from inside the world's top 10, alongside No. 7 and last week's Travelers Championship winner, Keegan Bradley. In addition, there are a further 10 top-50 players in attendance.

2024 and 2021 winner Cam Davis is part of a four-strong group of previous winners, joined by Rickie Fowler (2023), Tony Finau (2022) and Nate Lashley (2019).

Former No. 1 amateurs Luke Clanton and Gordon Sargent – both of whom only turned pro three weeks ago – are in the field via the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. Meanwhile, current No. 3 amateur Michael La Sasso makes his first ever start in a regular PGA Tour event.

For those who haven't seen it yet, you can check out Jamie's Italian Open 2025 Betting Tips for his preview from the DP World Tour this week...

SELECTIONS

Market leaders (1/4 5 places): Collin Morikawa 12/1, Keegan Bradley 16/1, Patrick Cantlay 18/1, Ben Griffin 22/1, Cameron Young 28/1

1.25 pts Akshay Bhatia each-way (1/5 - 8 places) @ 40/1

I put Akshay Bhatia up for last week's Travelers Championship, where he ultimately disappointed with a 54^th-place finish. However, I was pleased to see him maintain form with his irons and having finished 2^nd at Detroit Golf Club last year, I'm happy to give him another chance this week.

Bhatia's had an up-and-down season so far. He looked strong across his first eight starts this year, culminating with a 3^rd-place finish in THE PLAYERS Championship, but he followed that by missing three of his next six cuts and failed to record another top 40. That being said, he was in good shape prior to recording a forgivable missed cut in the US Open, finishing 22^nd in the Charles Schwab Challenge and 16^th in the Memorial Tournament across his last four starts.

His strengths lie in putting and approach, ranking 15^th and 24^th in those respective areas this season. The wedge game has impressed, ranking 29^th from 50-125yds and as the 20^th-ranked player in birdie or better %, he has the scoring power to tackle this challenge.

Bhatia missed the cut here on debut in 2023 but was a much different prospect last year, leading from rounds one to three before a final-round 72 saw him slip to 2^nd, one shot behind Cam Davis. Ranking 1^st in greens-in-regulation and 2^nd in approach there, the course clearly suits his eye, and I expect he'll be among the main contenders yet again this week.

1.25 pts Davis Thompson each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 40/1

Davis Thompson also finished runner-up in this event last year. He returned to form in the Travelers Championship after a mini-slump – finishing 25^th – and having done so due to his strongest approach performance of the season, I’m keen to strike while the irons are hot.

Thompson has had an underwhelming 2025 after earning a tour breakthrough in the John Deere Classic at the end of last year. He’s missed six of 18 cuts and recorded just four top-25s, going best when 10^th in THE PLAYERS Championship. Like many, he’s struggled in this hectic part of the season, dominated by Signature Events and Major Championships. I’m hoping this drop in intensity will enable him to kick-start his season, especially off the back of last week’s encouraging display.

He ranked 3^rd in approach at TPC River Highlands, and in gaining 1.7 strokes a round, produced his best display of the season with his irons. The putter still rates as a concern, but he’s a lengthy player who makes plenty of birdies and I’m expecting him to carry that momentum from last week.

Thompson has played here on three occasions and improved each time – finishing 58^th in 2021, 24^th in 2023 and 2^nd last year. That breakthrough win at the John Deere Classic also bodes well, and having finished 5^th, 12^th and 35^th on three visits to the Shriners Open, this is clearly a course that matches his style.

1 pt Alex Smalley each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 55/1

Alex Smalley has been a considerable improver in 2025, delivering a greater level of consistency than in previous seasons. He’s hit his stride again after a recent slide in form, and showing quality in each of the necessary areas, this looks like a great place for him to become a PGA Tour winner.

Smalley began the season with six top-25 finishes across his first seven starts, but his performances dipped thereafter, missing four of his next five cuts. He has bounced back in his last five starts, recording a season’s best of 5^th in the Myrtle Beach Classic, finishing 28^th in the PGA Championship, and when we last saw him, he was a solid 13^th in the Canadian Open.

He's been superb through the bag this season, ranking 4^th in SG: Total on the PGA Tour – with only the superstar trio of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood ahead of him. The level of his short game has been raised to the ever-high standard of his ball striking, and as a big hitter who is putting better than ever, it is only a matter of time before this prolific birdie maker – ranking 14^th in birdie or better % this year – breaks through.

Smalley hasn’t really fired here in three starts, missing two cuts and recording a 47^th-place finish in 2023. His runner-up finish in the 2023 John Deere Classic offers encouragement, and he’s also recorded top-15 finishes in the 3M Open and Wyndham Championship.

1 pt Emiliano Grillo each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 66/1

Hitting the top 25 in each of his last four starts, Emiliano Grillo arrives here in fine form. His wedge game is in exceptional shape and with the putter again looking sound, the Argentinian can become a three-time PGA Tour winner this week.

Grillo made a rough start to the season, missing three of his first seven cuts and failing to record a single top-60 finish. He put that right at the Valspar Championship, finishing 22^nd, and has barely put a foot wrong since, making nine of his last 10 cuts and recording six top-25s over that period. That includes a commendable 19^th-place finish in the US Open when we last saw him.

He's been a solid 47^th in putting so far this season, but it’s with the irons that he has excelled. He ranks 38^th in approach and has been especially dialled with his wedges, ranking 6^th from 50-125yds and 16^th from 125-150yds.

Grillo has only played this event twice, finishing 39^th in 2020 and missing the cut in 2021. However, unlike this week, he’d underperformed in the weeks leading up to each of those efforts. Possessing some attractive comp form, with finishes of 2^nd and 3^rd in the 3M Open and 2^nd in the John Deere Classic, I’m certain he’s capable of contending in Detroit.

1 pt Lee Hodges each-way (1/5 - 8 places) @ 80/1

Lee Hodges achieved his joint-best result of the season on his latest start, finishing 9^th in the Canadian Open. He’s a great wedge player who has improved with the putter in 2025, and in possession of a particularly appealing piece of comp form, I’m confident he can get in the mix this week.

Hodges started the year in good form, recording two top-10s in his first five starts, though his progress came to a halt due to a rib injury sustained the week of the Cognizant Classic. He returned from a six-week absence to finish a hugely impressive 11^th in the Houston Open at the end of March but failed to build on that in the following weeks, missing each of his next five cuts and finishing 53^rd before that top 10 in Canada last time out.

He's a high-level iron player, ranking 27^th in greens-in-regulation and 31^st in approach, and is at his best with the wedges, ranking 21^st from 50-125yds and 31^st from 125-150yds. In addition, his current ranking of 58^th in putting is a 100-place improvement on last season, and if he can combine these two areas in Detroit, he’s sure to contend in this low-scoring affair.

Although form figures of 44-MC-MC in this event don’t read well, Hodges showcased his ability to perform in similar conditions to these in 2023, winning the 3M Open by a dominant seven strokes with a 24-under-par total.

1 pt Ricky Castillo each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 110/1

I’m going to finish with talented PGA Tour rookie Ricky Castillo. He’s made a positive impression in his debut season and possessing a game that looks a good fit for Detroit GC, he can record his best finish of the year this week.

Former No. 1 amateur, Castillo, has missed five of 16 cuts in 2025 and secured four top-20 finishes. He’s been particularly good of late, missing just one of his last six cuts, and he achieved his best result of the season in the CJ CUP Byron Nelson four starts ago, finishing 5^th.

He’s already announced himself as a high-class tee-to-green player, ranking 23^rd on tour this season. The driver is his main weapon, blending power with accuracy to rank 25^th off-the-tee, and he also ranks 13^th in greens-in-regulation and 54^th in approach. His putting is the one glaring weakness, but he has been largely solid on the greens of late and won his solo Korn Ferry Tour title on bentgrass surfaces in the 2023 Wichita Open.

Castillo hasn’t played here before, nor does he have form on any of the comp courses mentioned. That being said, that 5^th-place finish in the CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch – a birdie fest played on bentgrass greens – should work.

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