The PGA Tour is in Michigan this week, at Detroit Golf Club, for the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic. There are plenty of big names in the field, including Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. Bad weather delayed play for over three hours on Thursday, but the players were back on the course at 3:30 p.m. ET. Many of them will still have to finish their opening rounds on Friday morning. Here are three things you need to know from Thursday’s first-round action.
Davis Thompson leads
In just his third start as a pro, Davis Thompson, a sponsor’s invite, currently leads the field by two shots, after firing a sizzling, bogey-free, nine-under 63.
Thompson may be an unfamiliar name for fans of the Tour, but he has some serious competitive cred on his amateur resume. He was a first-team All-American for the University of Georgia in 2020 and 2021 and was also the 2021 SEC Player of the Year. Oh yeah — and he played on this year’s victorious Walker Cup team, where he won 1.5 points in Team USA’s 14-12 victory.
How did Bryson play?
Bryson DeChambeau was the odds-on favorite this week, but some turmoil in his inner circle stole the headlines on Thursday. Despite working together through the practice days at Detroit Golf Club, DeChambeau and his caddie, Tim Tucker, parted ways prior to the first round.
Cobra’s Ben Schomin picked up DeChambeau’s bag for the week, and after teeing off in the rain-delayed afternoon wave, DeChambeau signed for an even-par 72 that included three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday.
Which big names are in the hunt?
Jason Day continued his recent positive momentum with a first-round 67 (-5); Kevin Kisner and Matt Wolff also fired 67s, while Bubba Watson signed for a four-under 68.
Phil Mickelson is three under after a first-round 69, and both Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler posted two-under 70s.
