| Betting Analysis
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Detroit Golf Club is a perfect fit for Cameron Young
Signature Event season on the PGA Tour is officially over but you wouldn't know it by looking at the top half of the field at this week's Rocket Classic. But Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay, each in search of a much-needed win, are in the field, as are Travelers winner Keegan Bradley, Cameron Young and Hideki Matsuyama.
This week the driver will be key, especially if the winners of this event since its inception is any indication. The big-hitting Aussie Cam Davis, who is back in the field this week, has won this tournament twice, while Tony Finau won in 2022 and Bryson DeChambeau in 2020. There will be birdies, folks, lots of them.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of a tour coach reporting anonymously from the grounds of Detroit Golf Club, Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line. Stewart, our newest member of the panel, is our new betting content partner as well.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2025 Rocket Classic:
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Anonymous Swing Coach of the Week: Cameron Young (25-1, FanDuel) — On two courses where off-the-tee prowess is rewarded, Oakmont and TPC Toronto, Young finished T-4. It feels like he’s finding his tee ball, which is the key to his success. He’s had success at Detroit Golf Club before, and this is the type of weak field that could lead to that long-awaited first win.
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Davis Thompson (35-1, FanDuel) — A runner-up at this site a year ago, DT finally broke out of his iron slump in a big way at Travelers. Thompson was third in the field approach (+5.6), marking the first time since Augusta he’s been better than +0.2 in a tournament. The putter remains cold, but he has gained on the greens each of the past two years in Detroit.
Brandon Gdula, FanDuel/numberFire managing editor: Cameron Young (25-1, FanDuel) — Young’s distance off the tee and putting ability should allow him to join a list of past winners that includes similar profiles: Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, and Cam Davis (twice). Young is one of the best putters on tour and can go low on a course like this, where he’s finished in the top six in each of his two career starts.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Cameron Young (25-1, FanDuel) — In two trips to the Motor City, Cameron Young has finished sixth (2024) and runner-up (2022). The epitome of a driver, wedge, putter guy, Young is ranked first in the field for strokes gained with his flat stick. I’m well aware of Young’s runner-up record, but the goal of making it to Bethpage looms far larger than falling short again. The course fit and a couple of names at the top who are also pressing provide a perfect fit for our winner to be forever young.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Cameron Young (25-1, FanDuel) — I might not ever recoup all the funds I’ve lost betting on our favorite New York son. But I’ll continue to dump cash his way at the signs of life. I just can’t quit CY on a driver-heavy course where he can make a ton of birdies. This is the week he does it, I’ve said for years now. But I still believe.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Chris Gotterup (50-1, FanDuel) — Gotterup is an elite driver of the golf ball who has historically struggled with his iron play. That has changed over the last few starts, though, including the U.S. Open at Oakmont, where the New Jersey native very quietly tied for 23rd in his third career major start. The putter unfortunately remains an issue but there’s no question he’s going to have a ton of birdie looks this week. Let’s hope he can make enough to give us a much-needed sweat.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Luke Clanton (40-1, FanDuel) — Luke Clanton showed some promising signs last week at the Travelers Championship, gaining significantly on approach and with the putter. He has already built a strong resume of success on bentgrass birdie-fests, including a runner-up at the John Deere Classic last year, and a 10th-place finish at this event.
Past results: We have another (easy) winner, with Andy Lack cashing in on Scottie Scheffler’s PGA Championship victory at +500. That’s Andy’s first win of 2025 and gives our panel nine individual victories in 2025.
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Tour coach: Aldrich Potgeiter (125-1, BetMGM) — He’s the longest player on tour, and we saw that lead to great play at Torrey Pines and Vidanta. He’s putting in great work with Justin Parsons, and that should continue to lead to putting himself in positions to win. This is a great spot for him, and I think there’s great value on the young South African.
Mayo: Gary Woodland (100-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — If the man could chip or putt (preferably both), he wins in Hartford by 10 last week. Alas, he couldn’t. He actually led all players in approach at TPC River Highlands whiling making it his fifth straight positive performance off the tee. He just happened to lose a combined eight strokes between chipping and putting. Now, the chipping is no surprise. He’s one of the worst on tour. However, the horrendous putting could be a blip. Woodland’s actually been quite good on the greens in 2025. He’s slightly above average in most starts with two massive spikes which coincided with his best two finishes of the year. It’s good to know he still has that in his back pocket.
Gdula: Stephan Jaeger (70-1, FanDuel) — Jaeger has twice finished in the top 10 at Detroit Golf Club in four career starts, and his game—length off the tee, great irons and great putting—is exactly what you want at Detroit Golf Club.
Stewart: Emiliano Grillo (70-1, FanDuel) — I absolutely love this pick. Emiliano Grillo is ranked first in the field for approach play over the last 24 rounds. Four straight top-25 results on tour, Grillo has won on courses where long iron play and driving give you an advantage (Colonial CC, Silverado CC). Top 20 at the U.S. Open, Emiliano is great on tough/fast greens. Just outside the top 100 in FedEx Cup points, Grillo must press the next couple of weeks to grab a spot in the playoffs.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Alex Noren (60-1, FanDuel) — The numbers haven’t been great since he was leading the PGA Championship, but I’m willing to buy in at this number on a prolific birdie-maker who can get scorching hot with the putter. He’s got two top 10s at Detroit Golf Club, so I can see him playing himself into contention again.
Powers, Golf Digest: Cameron Champ (120-1, FanDuel) — Champ’s cashed for me before at triple digits in a driver/wedgefest at TPC Twin Cities. Why not do it again here? He’s clearly put some form together over the last few months, having finished T-16 or better in all three PGA Tour starts he’s made in 2025. There are only a few places you’d entertain betting this guy anyway, and one of them is in Detroit.
Lack: Rico Hoey (90-1, FanDuel) — Rico Hoey is one of the absolute best drivers of the ball in this field, and he is coming off his best putting performance in months at the Canadian Open. While the putter remains a concern, Hoey’s ball-striking should be strong enough to catapult him onto the first page of the leader board.
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Players We’re Fading
Tour coach: Collin Morikawa (11-1, BetRivers) — I think he’s overvalued here. His last win was years ago. And he’s had only one top 15 since the Players—it just doesn’t seem like everything’s clicking for him.
Mayo: Keegan Bradley (14-1, BetRivers) — A week after a huge win? Nah.
Gdula: Patrick Cantlay (16-1, FanDuel) — While I don’t really dislike any of the favorites at their current numbers this week, I’m probably not going to get to Cantlay. Although he’s longer off the tee than you probably realize, the putter has been hot-and-cold, and his numbers from within 15 feet are not really where you’d expect them this season.
Stewart: Collin Morikawa (12-1, FanDuel) — No results inside the top 20 in his last four starts, Collin Morikawa is searching for answers. In recent weeks, we've seen a caddie change and putter testing at TPC River Highlands. What seems like a revolving door of remedies, last week at the Travelers, Collin lost three and a half strokes on approach. Until Collin can put together a couple of consistent starts, I’ll look elsewhere at the Rocket Classic.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Keegan Bradley (14-1, BetRivers) — Winning the Travelers is nearly like winning a major for Keegan Bradley. The highs and emotions of winning in New England won’t be easy to get over. I’m impressed he’s honoring his commitment here, but I don’t expect him to put on a similar performance.
Powers, Golf Digest: Keegan Bradley (14-1, BetRivers) — His head must be spinning right now with all the Ryder Cup playing captain talk. Would not be surprised if he misses the cut.
Lack: Keegan Bradley (14-1, BetRivers) — Coming off an emotional victory last week at the Travelers Championship, I was a bit confused to see Keegan Bradley in the field this week. With that being said, while he is certainly one of the best talents in the field who is clearly motivated to auto-qualify for the Ryder Cup team that he is captaining, I do not expect Bradley to notch back-to-back victories in a tournament that is heavily dependent on putting variance.
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Matchups
Tour coach: Akshay Bhatia (+100) over Matt Fitzpatrick (Bet365) — Akshay hammers the ball off the tee, and this golf course has ample room for him to shape the ball. It should fit his eye nicely. He missed the cut at the U.S. Open, but he played well at the Memorial. His strokes gained/approach numbers have been strong, so I think he can capitalize with his length and room off the tee.
Mayo: Harry Hall (+105) over Si Woo Kim (Coolbet) — I have them rated out about equal this week so simply getting juice on one side is nice, plus there’s the bonus out of Si Woo’s back which caused him to WD at the Travelers over the weekend. If things go south early for him he may just call it quits.
Gdula: Hideki Matsuyama (-115) over Harry Hall (FanDuel) — These two have some similar overall splits across 12, six and three months. However, Matsuyama has the better irons, and Hall is doing a lot with the putter. Believe it or not, Matsuyama has great putting splits, too, and should be due for positive regression soon on the greens.
Stewart: Harry Hall (-105) over Davis Thompson (BetMGM) — Davis Thompson has missed three cuts in his last five starts and has not recorded a top 20 finish since March at The Players. The putter has lost strokes in five straight events and nearly seven strokes against the field at the Travelers. Harry Hall has five straight top-25 results and is ranked fourth in the field for his flat stick and sixth in birdie-or-better percentage. Let’s roll with the guy who has contended over the last couple of weeks.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Wyndham Clark (+140) over Keegan Bradley (DraftKings) — Bad press aside, Wyndham is trending up. He can’t finish off a tournament, which he proved by struggling on Sunday at TPC River Highlands. But like I said above, it’s tough to expect Keegan to be fully recovered from his emotional win last week. Wyndham is still hungry, and he’s a top-15 birdie-maker in this field.
Powers, Golf Digest: Patrick Cantlay (+105) over Collin Morikawa (DraftKings) — Cantlay showing up this week indicates he's pressing to remain in that Ryder Cup conversation. He’s also just simply playing solid, save for the majors. As for Morikawa, it’s clear something is off with him that’s not allowing him to put it all together on the same week.
Lack: Patrick Cantlay (+105) over Collin Morikawa (DraftKings) — Both Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa have been disappointing Americans this year, failing to notch a victory for the second consecutive year, which largely explains why both are in Detroit this week. Quite simply, I trust Patrick Cantlay’s putter far more at the moment to keep up in a low scoring affair.
Matchup Results from the Travelers Championship: Powers: 1 for 1 (Day (-110) over Scott); Lack: 1 for 1 (Bradley (-130) over Burns); Tour coach: 0 for 1, Hennessey: 0 for 1; Stewart: 0 for 1; Mayo: 0 for 1; Gdula: 0 for 1
Matchup Results from this season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Tour coach: 13-7-2 (up 4.31 units); Powers: 14-11-0 (up 2.72 units); Lack: 13-10-1 (up 2.15 units); Hennessey: 12-12-1 (down 1.07 units); Stewart: 10-14-1 (down 4.45 units); Mayo: 8-14-2 (down 6.28 units); Gdula: 8-16-1 (down 9.08 units)
Rocket Classic picks 2025: Top 10s
Tour coach: Max Greyserman (+400, FanDuel) — He’s been steady over the past nine starts, making every cut and hovering around top 20 and 25. I think he’ll finish in the top 10 in a weaker field.
Mayo: Wyndham Clark (+400, FanDuel) — High ball speed, the irons have come around, and he’s always down to drain some bombs on the green. Clark’s a great fit for Detroit.
Gdula: Matt Fitzpatrick (+400, FanDuel) — Fitzpatrick can still step on it and gain distance on the field whenever the setup calls for it, and his game is quietly rounding back into form. He’s made seven straight cuts and is a top eight player in the field over the last three months.
Stewart: Ben Griffin (+250, FanDuel) — Listening to Ben Griffin at the Travelers during his pre-tournament interview was telling. Griffin has arrived, and he believes it. Two wins in his last eight starts and five straight top-15 results, I’ll take the 10 places for a player who is gaining an average of 10 strokes on the field per start.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Ben Griffin (+250, FanDuel) — The Colonial winner has finished top 10 in four of his past five starts. He’s on an absolute heater, and he’s the best player in this field per strokes gained over the past 36 rounds.
Powers, Golf Digest: Cameron Young (+275, Caesars Sportsbook) — Because he’s Cameron Young, nothing about this will be “easy,” but I’m in need of an easy one. Given his track record here and his recent form, you have to think he’ll factor in on Sunday. Please. Cam. Please.
Lack: Davis Thompson (+360, FanDuel) — Davis Thompson is coming off his best approach week of the season at the Travelers Championship, and he now returns to a golf course where he recorded a runner-up finish in his last appearance. Thompson’s powerful driving and rock-solid wedge play will continue to pay dividends at the Rocket Mortgage.
Top-10 results from the Travelers Championship: Gdula: 1 for 1 (Russell Henley +330); Everybody else: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from this season: Lack: 8 for 25 (up 13.3 units); Gdula: 8 for 25 (up 10.3 units); Tour coach: 5 for 22 (up 7.8 units); Stewart: 7 for 25 (up 1.1 units); Mayo: 3 for 25 (down 0.33 units); Hennessey: 4 for 24 (down 2 units); Powers: 0 for 25 (down 25 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Brandon Gdula, managing editor and analyst for numberFire, a FanDuel daily-fantasy analysis company, recently won the 2018 FSWA Golf Writer of the Year. Gdula also co-hosts the DFS Heat Check podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @gdula13.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor for Golf Digest and founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here and raise your golf betting acumen. Keith's winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.