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Power Rankings: Rocket Mortgage Classic
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June 24, 2019
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Dustin Johnson is looking to rebound after T20 and T35 finishes in his last two starts. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
After a nine-year hiatus, one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases in all of sports is back in the mix in a big way. The PGA TOUR has returned to Michigan.
The inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic will be contested at Detroit Golf Club. It's just seven miles from downtown and within the city limits. It's the first time since Tiger Woods concluded the decades-long run of the Buick Open with his third victory in that tournament in 2009.
A field of 156 has assembled in Motown this week. Scroll past the projected contenders for details on the classic Donald Ross design that serves as host, what should define the first champion of the event and more.
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 15 
Brian Stuard This will be fun for the Michigan native/Oakland University product and his family and friends. Seventh in fairways hit, 12th in proximity and fifth in scrambling, so it's hardly ceremonial.This will be fun for the Michigan native/Oakland University product and his family and friends. Seventh in fairways hit, 12th in proximity and fifth in scrambling, so it's hardly ceremonial.14 
Alex Prugh Coming off consecutive top 25s on Poa, a grass on which he's proven comfortable throughout his career. Sits ninth on TOUR in total driving, T11 in greens in regulation and T25 in proximity.Coming off consecutive top 25s on Poa, a grass on which he's proven comfortable throughout his career. Sits ninth on TOUR in total driving, T11 in greens in regulation and T25 in proximity.13 
Martin Laird The streaky Scot is coming off a T21 at TPC River Highlands where he was T6 after 54 holes and ranked T6 in scrambling for the week. Inside the top 50 in GIR and strokes gained: putting.The streaky Scot is coming off a T21 at TPC River Highlands where he was T6 after 54 holes and ranked T6 in scrambling for the week. Inside the top 50 in GIR and strokes gained: putting.12 
Brandt Snedeker Continues to prosper even though he's not appearing on every leaderboard. Seven top 20s in 20 starts this season; three in his last five. Sits 11th on TOUR in strokes gained: putting.Continues to prosper even though he's not appearing on every leaderboard. Seven top 20s in 20 starts this season; three in his last five. Sits 11th on TOUR in strokes gained: putting.11 
Mackenzie Hughes That he was disappointed with a T14 on his home turf at the RBC Canadian Open speaks to his elevated confidence. T8 two weeks prior at Colonial. Co-led Travelers after one round.That he was disappointed with a T14 on his home turf at the RBC Canadian Open speaks to his elevated confidence. T8 two weeks prior at Colonial. Co-led Travelers after one round.10 
Joaquin Niemann After months of leaking oil, he's reconnected with consistently improving form. It manifested itself for a career-best-tying T5 and a balanced attack at the Travelers Championship.After months of leaking oil, he's reconnected with consistently improving form. It manifested itself for a career-best-tying T5 and a balanced attack at the Travelers Championship.9 
Sungjae Im After a predictable rough patch through spring, the 21-year-old rookie elevated for a solo seventh in Canada and a T21 in Connecticut. Eleven top 25s on the season. T14 in par-5 scoring.After a predictable rough patch through spring, the 21-year-old rookie elevated for a solo seventh in Canada and a T21 in Connecticut. Eleven top 25s on the season. T14 in par-5 scoring.8 
Chez Reavie While back-to-back victories would exceed expectations, his experience in riding a groove is documented. The Travelers title punctuated a run of five top 20s in six starts. No. 1 in fairways hit.While back-to-back victories would exceed expectations, his experience in riding a groove is documented. The Travelers title punctuated a run of five top 20s in six starts. No. 1 in fairways hit.7 
Rickie Fowler He hasn't contended in earnest since a T2 at PGA National, but his class is permanent and he executes well across the board. Putting four rounds together has been the challenge, however.He hasn't contended in earnest since a T2 at PGA National, but his class is permanent and he executes well across the board. Putting four rounds together has been the challenge, however.6 
Kevin Kisner Finally picked off his first top 20 in individual, stroke-play competition of 2019 with a T15 at the Travelers. He was hitting on all cylinders last week, so it's reasonable to expect a continuation.Finally picked off his first top 20 in individual, stroke-play competition of 2019 with a T15 at the Travelers. He was hitting on all cylinders last week, so it's reasonable to expect a continuation.5 
Ryan Moore It's impossible not to link his skill set with success on Donald Ross designs. The shot-shaper is fresh off a T15 at the Travelers where he ranked T4 in GIR. Third on TOUR in fairways hit.It's impossible not to link his skill set with success on Donald Ross designs. The shot-shaper is fresh off a T15 at the Travelers where he ranked T4 in GIR. Third on TOUR in fairways hit.4 
Kevin Streelman He's gone 4th-T15 in his last two starts and he's positioned inside the top 40 on TOUR in fairways hit, greens in regulation, proximity to the hole and strokes gained: tee-to-green.He's gone 4th-T15 in his last two starts and he's positioned inside the top 40 on TOUR in fairways hit, greens in regulation, proximity to the hole and strokes gained: tee-to-green.3 
Gary Woodland The U.S. Open champ was busy last week, but he didn't compete. Currently leading the PGA TOUR in ball-striking and ranks third in putting: birdies-or-better and T3 in par-5 scoring.The U.S. Open champ was busy last week, but he didn't compete. Currently leading the PGA TOUR in ball-striking and ranks third in putting: birdies-or-better and T3 in par-5 scoring.2 
Hideki Matsuyama Four straight top 25s upon arrival; 10 overall in 2019. His tee-to-green precision is a given, but he's also 17th in strokes gained: around-the-green and 19th in putting: birdies-or-better.Four straight top 25s upon arrival; 10 overall in 2019. His tee-to-green precision is a given, but he's also 17th in strokes gained: around-the-green and 19th in putting: birdies-or-better.1 
Dustin Johnson The No. 1 essentially by default, but he's scuffled in last two starts with a T20 in Canada and a T35 at Pebble Beach. Yet, and of course, he's the target for most no matter how you slice it.The No. 1 essentially by default, but he's scuffled in last two starts with a T20 in Canada and a T35 at Pebble Beach. Yet, and of course, he's the target for most no matter how you slice it.Zack Sucher, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel will be among the notables reviewed in Tuesday's Fantasy Insider.
After five years as the title sponsor of the Quicken Loans National held in the Mid-Atlantic, the mortgage lender has partnered with Detroit GC for four years and rebranded its event as the Rocket Mortgage Classic. While it's a first-time event, it's of value to note that the arrangement includes a transition from an invitational to an open. Competitive course and tournament records also will be established this week.
Detroit GC consists of two courses – the North and the South. The setup for the RMC is a stock par-72 composite that includes 17 holes from the North. The par-4 third hole is the exception. It plays at No. 1 on the South for members. The par-5 fourth hole for the tournament can tip at 635 yards. That’s equal to the second-longest hole on the TOUR. Only the 663-yard finisher at Kapalua is longer, but that's played downhill and on the side of a mountain.
Ross' creation is just over 100 years old and it's been renovated numerous times since he applied his seal of approval, but the only modifications made for the PGA TOUR affect overall length. With six new tee boxes, it can stretch to 7,340 yards.
The relatively tricky Poa greens will defend scoring similarly to TPC River Highlands last week. Likewise, they're readied to run up to 12 feet on the Stimpmeter and they're guarded by primary rough trimmed at four inches, so hitting greens in regulation is a priority as it will be challenging to hold slick surfaces from the thickest grass.
Trees frame sightlines tee to green and one-and-one-quarter-inch rough serves as the nearest sideboards for wayward drives. Four of the 10 par 4s tip at fewer than 400 yards, and with four par 5s, those in attendance will be cheering early and often for par breakers. When greens are unfamiliar as they are this week, good ball-strikers who profile as average putters tend to emerge as probable contenders. This angle is supported by putting surfaces that average only 5,150 square feet.
To maximize the spectator experience, the course opens in the middle of the back nine. This isn't unusual on a composite course for a new event, but the would-be champion will want to plan on having at least a one-stroke lead upon arrival at the 18th tee. At 455 yards, it's one of the longest par 4s on the property on which par will be a good score.
Wasting no time in joining the party, the RMC is included in The Open Qualifying Series. The top two, not otherwise exempt into The Open, inside the top eight at Detroit GC will earn tee times at Royal Portrush.
Mother Nature may have an impact on the launch. After a warm but dry opening round, the threat for inclement weather sits and stays in the forecast for the remainder. It'll remain muggy throughout with daytime highs climbing into the 80s. Wind will not be a factor.
ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One & Done, Champions One & Done
* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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