Michael Thorbjornsen wins first PGA TOUR title by two shots at Rocket Classic
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Michael Thorbjornsen sinks 26-foot birdie to win Rocket Classic
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DETROIT (AP) — Michael Thorbjornsen pumped his right fist after making a 26-foot putt for birdie on his last hole to shoot 7-under 63 and reach 18 under to win his first PGA TOUR title by two shots at the Rocket Classic on Sunday.
“Perfect pace, perfect read,” he said.
The 24-year-old Thorbjornsen sealed his spot in the FedExCup Playoffs after rolling into the Motor City No. 69 in the standings. The top 70 advance to the postseason after next week’s Wyndham Championship.
“Just to be in the playoff for the first time is very exciting, he said. ”It's great to be playing against the best players in the world."
Thorbjornsen started the fourth round three shots behind leader Davis Riley, whose rough start opened opportunities for the field.
“The start got the best of me and kind of put me behind the eight-ball early unfortunately,” Riley said.
Thorbjornsen took advantage, surging into the lead at No. 14 with his third of four birdies in a six-hole stretch and closing with a clutch, curling putt that went in the right side of the cup.
Highlights | Final Round | Rocket Classic | 2026
He's the eighth first-time winner this season on the PGA TOUR and the second straight, following Jackson Koivun's victory last week at the 3M Open.
“It was such a battle, playing with some great players," Thorbjornsen said. "Everyone was in the mix after nine holes.”
Xander Schauffele (65) briefly led during the final round and finished second, two shots behind Thorbjornsen.
“I played really well and he just beat me straight up, so hats off to him,” Schauffele said.
Riley (70) was another stroke behind in third, falling out of the lead with four bogeys.
Rasmus Hojgaard (68) was alone in fourth, four shots back.
Hideki Matsuyama (64), Matt Wallace (67), Kristoffer Ventura (68) were another stroke back, tied for fifth.
Thorbjornsen was born in Cleveland, grew up in Massachusetts and attended Stanford. He won the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur over Akshay Bhatia, who has three PGA TOUR wins.
Michael Thorbjornsen’s Round 4 winning highlights from Rocket Classic
He went straight to the PGA TOUR in 2024 as the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University ranking.
“I think it's one of the best programs in golf,” Thorbjornsen said. “It’s changed all of our lives.”
Thorbjornsen chipped in from 35 feet for birdie at No. 12 on a day when he accurately aimed for pins that left him with some short birdie putts before his long one on his 72nd hole.
He had a bogey-free round, an accomplishment many other players on the leaderboard were unable to pull off on a day that started with rain and became windy when the clouds cleared.
Riley started with a one-shot lead and quickly lost it – and couldn't find his ball in fescue at No. 4 after about a dozen people helped him try – with three bogeys through six holes.
He rallied with three birdies in a seven-hole stretch before giving back a stroke with a bogey at No. 17, taking away his chance to possibly force the tournament into a playoff.
