RADIO
I'll admit, it took me a while to get glued into the Travelers Championship, but once I did, the tournament once again delivered a great finish. That said, having some of the biggest names in golf on a rest week is somewhat refreshing as we get a mid-level field that is certainly energized and hungry for a victory in Michigan. We'll have a full-field 36-hole standard cut event on tap for the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic held at Detroit Golf Club. The golf course is relatively straightforward and has a typical tree-lined parkland layout that was designed in the early 1900s by the great Donald Ross.
We now have enough historical data from this event at Detroit Golf Club that we have begun to develop a specific player profile that is best suited for success on this layout. It's undoubtedly one of the easiest tournaments that we see all season in terms of scoring conditions as there is not much to prevent players from deploying a bomb and gauge approach that is often successful in these birdie fests. The fairways are wide and forgiving, which is going to be an enticing sight for some of the biggest hitters in the field. If you can find a player who hits it far and finds himself a hot putter in Detroit, then you have your winner.
As always with this article, my primary goal is to provide a place to start your research and preparation for the incoming week. I have carefully evaluated the field-to-project course fits and past results in team golf formats. This will give you a glimpse at how my brain operates when it comes to handicapping this unique event. Here are my top 10 players to watch out for and a brief write-up of my reasons why I think they will crush it this week. Enjoy the Rocket Mortgage Classic, where I can promise you that Scottie Scheffler won't win.
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No. 10 - Stephan Jaeger
Speaking of Scottie Scheffler, one player who we can say definitely was able to ward off his powers on a Sunday was none other than Stephan Jaeger. The distance he added to his driver in the offseason has paid major dividends for Jaeger this season, evidenced by his breakthrough victory in Houston. He's been dominant off-the-tee consistently, utilizing his added power to gain strokes on Par 5s this season.
Jaeger has also been really good in Detroit during the past two seasons. He finished T9 in 2023 and in solo fifth place in 2022. Jaeger should be one of the players able to convert on a bomb and gauge strategy around this layout. He played well at the US Open a few weeks ago which is encouraging, and this is the type of field where he can actually feel confident being one of the favorites to win.
No. 9 - Matt Wallace
Matt Wallace has made significant positive strides with his iron play of late, showcased most recently at the RBC Canadian Open where he was +5.6 strokes on approach for the week. He kept his momentum rolling this summer where he played excellent in Texas a few weeks prior, finishing T4 at the Byron Nelson. Wallace has just enough pop in the bat to be above tour average in distance which he'll need every bit of this week.
If he can get himself to wedge-range then I would envision him excelling. He's ranked sixth in the field in strokes gained from 50-150 yards over the past 30 rounds played. Wallace definitely understands the assignment at Detroit Golf Club, he has two finishes of T12 or better in his previous three starts at this event. He's still a player in significant need of a victory to maintain his status and this appears to be as good of a chance as any for Wallace.
The crowd ROARED for Matt Wallace after this eagle holeout on 18.
📺 Golf Channel & @peacock pic.twitter.com/LhzZHgtpsx
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 30, 2024
No. 8 - Min Woo Lee
One of the downsides to the signature events is that the PGA Tour hands out free passes to players like Webb Simpson while we do not get to see young, exciting players like Min Woo Lee compete against the best in the world. Woo has the talent to topple any field but needs to break through one of the weeks to elevate himself in better events. The Rocket Mortgage Classic seems on paper to be a tournament that sets up to his strengths.
Min Woo Lee ranks third in the field in driving distance which has been a consistent asset for his game all season. He bombs it, and when you take into account that this is a golf course where Tony Finau and Bryson DeChambeau have won, then why not Min Woo? He needs to bring a hot putter to Detroit, and if he does then this a tournament where he can put the pedal to the floor and run away with it. Elite-level talent typically prevails.
No. 7 - Maverick McNealy
Seemingly always flying under the radar, Maverick McNealy is back from injury and playing some quality golf. His most recent start at the Canadian Open resulted in a T7 finish, his third top-10 placement of the 2024 season. He's flashed signs of possessing the type of putting that can get scorching hot at times which was on full display in Canada. McNealy gained 4+ strokes putting and added another +3.7 around the greens.
He still has plenty of power, averaging 306 yards in driving distance through his past 24 rounds. McNealy did not qualify for the US Open but did however make his way into the field at the PGA Championship where he posted an impressive T23 finish. Many have been waiting for years to see McNealy finally break through and achieve a victory. He's one of the premier Par 5 scorers in the field this week in Detroit, so he should be able to give himself ample opportunities to cash in another strong result.
No. 6 - Aaron Rai
It's pretty simple, his accuracy off the tee combined with his exceptional iron play always gives Aaron Rai a fighting chance. Many thought he was at a severe disadvantage at a course like Pinehurst, but Rai maintained his momentum en route to an unexpected Top-20 finish. Rai ranks second in strokes gained approach and second in strokes gained total over his last 24 rounds played this season.
Rai was able to get his feet wet last season at Detroit Golf Club, competing for the first time at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He quickly felt right at home, doing what Aaron Rai does best, which culminated in a T9 finish. The formula is relatively easy for Rai, it's fairways and greens, and we know that'll play anywhere.
No. 5 - Akshay Bhatia
I like betting on players who seem to thrive in ultra-competitive situations. Akshay Bhatia has been put square in the middle of highly stressful moments on the golf course recently which continues to build self-confidence and valuable experience. He was able to somehow ward off all the bad vibes of witnessing a random nuclear Denny McCarthy performance in Texas to grab a playoff win a few months ago.
More recently, he was in the final pairing on Sunday at the Travelers last week attempting to chase down Tom Kim and outplay the best player on the planet, Scottie Scheffler. Even though Bhatia came up short, the experience has to mean something. It was a tough final round as he didn't have his best stuff, but you can tell this kid has a great head on his shoulders. Here he reflecting on a disappointing Sunday and the craziness that transpired on the 72nd hole.
Akshay Bhatia reflects on his finish @TravelersChamp and the incident on the 72nd hole. pic.twitter.com/wRO3Pkvcep
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 23, 2024
No. 4 - Kieth Mitchell
I don't know about you guys, but I am just about sick of seeing Keith Mitchell atop my stat models. Spoiler alert, he's there once again this week for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. He's had such a well-balanced strokes-gained season, but I'm sure he would happily trade the consistency for a signature moment with a victory. That said, just keep knocking on that door Mr. Mitchell, because the numbers don't lie...typically.
Here are the categories that Mitchell ranks 4th or better in the field:
- SG: OTT
- SG: APP
- Driving Distance
- Par 5 Scoring
- SG: Total (easy courses)
Will he finally get his crowning moment? Only time will tell for Cashmere Keith.
No. 3 - Tom Kim
It was another runner-up finish for a player on my betting card at the Travelers Championship, it's becoming the theme of the season. That said, it's hard not to be impressed with how Tom Kim handled being the 18, 36, and 54-hole leader throughout the week. It took extra holes for Scottie Scheffler to prevail, but not before Tom Kim drained an electric putt on the 18th hole after a long delay to extend the tournament.
He also nearly got the job done in Canada a few weeks prior. Whatever configuration and swing thoughts that Kim currently has going on with his Driver, are working. He's added some decent distance but his ability to hit a ton of fairways has allowed him to accelerate the run. Kim finished in seventh place at this event during his rookie season. It's been a draining week for Kim in Connecticut, so we'll have to continue to monitor his endurance after competing nearly every week. He'll have another go this week in Detroit.
Tom Kim said he'll still play Rocket Mortgage Classic.
It will be Kim's 9th week playing in a row.
— Underdog Golf (@Underdog__Golf) June 23, 2024
No. 2 - Alex Noren
Before missing the cut in two of his last three tournaments, Alex Noren was on an epic run where he managed to play his way into weekend golf in the previous 18 events in a row. He'll look to get his game back on track at Detroit Golf Club where Noren has enjoyed a good deal of success in the past. He finished T9 last season and also racked up a T4 result in his appearance before that in 2021.
His ball-striking run in 2024 has been one to remember for Noren, who has benefitted from a late-career resurgence in all facets of his game. We have become accustomed to him being a fantastic putter which he will need to rely on given that we expect the scoring conditions to be super easy. Noren will have to overcome his lack of distance, but I'm confident that Noren has what it takes to finally etch his name on the long list of PGA Tour winners.
No. 1 - Cameron Young
Nobody needs a win this week at Detroit Golf Club more than Cameron Young. Let's face reality, it's been too long given his talent level. Young has a poetic power with the driver that few possess in the world and he should have ample experience competing on these types of Midwest golf courses that perfectly suit his strengths as a player. Before the Travelers, this season had been a grind for Young.
The round of his life came at just the right time as he heads to the Rocket Mortgage where he will be one of the favorites to win. In 2022, Young finished T2 at this tournament where he gained +10.2 strokes Tee-to-Green. Sometimes in golf, when a player has as much talent as Cameron Young, you just need to see the ball finally drop in the hole a few times. It's something Cameron Young was able to do last week at the Travelers with a sizzling 59, an accomplishment few have ever done on the PGA Tour throughout the history of the game. Now it's time to win Cam!
Enjoy the Travelers Championship and thanks for reading! Good luck, RotoBaller family!
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