A week after a historic Travelers Championship which culminated in an 8-hole playoff finish between Harris English and Kramer Hickok, the PGA Tour finds itself in Detroit for the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Bryson DeChambeau is the heavy favorite after winning this event in 2020. Here’s a quick look at the top four favorites to win the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic (FanDuel Sportsbook).
Bryson DeChambeau +750
DeChambeau dismantled Detroit Golf Club last year and the oddsmakers expect him to repeat that stellar performance again this year. Though DeChambeau is the defending champ, it’s a little surprising to see him favored this heavily. The 27-year old has not been in dominant form of late.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner has had disappointing finishes over his last five tournaments. Dechambeau was in contention at the U.S. Open a couple of weeks ago but fell apart on Sunday by posting a 77 that knocked him down to a T-26 finish. He rebounded a little last week at the Travelers Championship but still only finished T-19.
Patrick Reed +1500
Reed is the ultimate grinder so he’s always a threat to win a golf tournament. The nine-time PGA Tour winner has had an up-and-down season in 2021 but recently found his form with a 5th place finish at the Memorial Tournament. Reed only ranks 148th in driving distance at 291.5 yards, so don’t expect him to be able to bomb and gouge Detroit Golf Club.
The 30-year old’s greatest strengths are his putting and chipping. Reed currently ranks 8th on tour in strokes gained putting and 16th on tour in strokes gained around the green. Reed typically plays his irons well also, so that could be an advantage for him in this tournament.
Hideki Matsuyama +1700
Matsuyama shocked the golf world back in April by winning The Masters and taking home the coveted green jacket. The 29-year old hasn’t played too well since that victory so he may be a bit overvalued this week at 17 to 1 odds. However, Matsuyama is one of the best ball strikers on the PGA Tour.
If the six-time winner gets his irons dialed in, the rest of the field could be in trouble. Matsuyama ranks 16th on tour in strokes gained on approach, but his Achilles heel is his putting game. The Japanese native only ranks 176th in strokes gained putting so that may prevent him from winning this year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Webb Simpson +1700
Simpson has one of the best overall short games in this week’s field so it makes sense to see him listed as one of the favorites. The 35-year old Wake Forest alum ranks 20th in strokes gained putting and 11th in strokes gained around the green this season. Simpson has not found the winner’s circle yet this season but he has posted five Top 10 finishes.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner seemed to like this course last year as he finished in 8th place. Simpson ended up shooting 15-under-par here last year, so he’ll look to build on that positive momentum this week.
