The PGA Tour season rolls on with a stop in Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. It may not be a field full of superstars, but from a betting standpoint, this opens up the possibilities to look at some guys who do not have a ton of experience in the winner’s circle. Here are a few names that are towards the top of the list for potential outrights this week. Make sure to shop these numbers as tee-off approaches, as trying to maximize prices is critical when betting PGA outrights. Now let’s dive into the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic odds and predictions.
2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic Odds & Bets
2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic Outright Bet: Hideki Matsuyama (20-1, DraftKings)
Backing Hideki Matsuyama in the outright market this season has produced exactly zero winning tickets. It is not to say Matsuyama is not playing good golf, but when dealing with outrights, it is an all-or-nothing situation. That said, coming to the Rocket Mortgage, Matsuyama is playing quality golf, and 20-1 is a number to get behind.
Last week Matsuyama finished 13th thanks to his typically dominant irons and average-at-best putting. Winning scores at -25 do not scream Matsuyama, but on the flip side, he has that gear and can win at this type of tournament. His latest win on tour was the 2022 Sony Open, where he was -23 due to a week where the putter ed his elite ball striking. In a field of this caliber, 20-1 is a generous tag, and it may be prudent to blindly bet that Matsuyama can get going with the putter and post a huge score of -20 or better, which will probably be necessary to win this week.
2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic Outright Bet: Alex Smalley (60-1, DraftKings)
With many of the big names taking a week off to recharge, it opens the door for a first-time PGA Tour winner. There are dozens of guys in the hunt who are candidates to break through, including Alex Smalley. Coming off a ninth place at the Travelers, his game is rounding into form, and he seems to thrive at these type of low-stress courses.
It would be a huge step up for Smalley to grab a win, but he has gained strokes on approach in 10 straight events, and that puts him at least in the conversation regardless of what else is going on. His putting is not great, but two straight positive weeks can at least be regarded as improvement. Smalley will have to take advantage of these par 5’s and make sure he converts his fair share of putts to truly get in the hunt. Given the field strength and the positive momentum heading to Detroit, he fits well on betting cards in the hopes that everything syncs up.
2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic Outright Bet: Aaron Rai (70-1, DraftKings)
It is tough to figure out what to do with Rai, but he has all the talent and has shown flashes, including a third-place showing a few weeks ago in Canada. Like a ton of players, Rai seems to lean heavily on his ball striking and is just waiting for a week where his putter cooperates. Over his last eight events, he has gained strokes putting just twice. However, both of those have come in the last two weeks, so maybe he has found something on the greens.
One of the many things needed to win here is destroying the par 5’s, three of which are legit eagle opportunities. Rai has been much better on par 5’s that are shorter than 600 yards, which is the length that three of these will play, and that is another small bonus. Coming off a 24th last week at Travelers where his short game improved, Rai could be close and is worth a play at 70-1.
