The Rocket Classic has a whole new look in 2026. Detroit Golf Club’s redesigned North Course features rebuilt greens, reshaped bunkers and two former par 5s converted into demanding par 4s, creating a tougher test than in previous years. That means course history may not carry quite as much weight as it once did.
With stars like Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, Chris Gotterup and defending champion Aldrich Potgieter leading the field, finding golfers who can excel tee-to-green and capitalize on scoring opportunities will be the key. Here are six of the best bets to target for the 2026 Rocket Classic.
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All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change. DraftKings does not sponsor this content.
Jake Knapp First-Round Leader (+4500)
Knapp is one of my favorite Round 1 leader bets because nobody catches fire quite like he does. He closed last week with a scorching 62, rattling off seven straight birdies, and now returns to a course where he’s already posted a 61 and nearly won. Detroit Golf Club is built for aggressive scorers, and Knapp has all the firepower to light up the leaderboard early and be the name everyone is chasing after Thursday.
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Michael Kim Top-20 Finish (+270)
Kim is one of the safest top-20 bets on the board. He’s fresh off flashing his upside with a 59, says his game is right where he wants it and arrives with one of the better putting strokes in the field. Detroit Golf Club rewards players who stay patient and pile up birdies, and that’s exactly Kim’s recipe. He doesn’t need to win this week—just keep doing what he’s been doing and another top-20 should be there for the taking.
Jackson Koivun Top-10 Finish (+215)
Koivun is making it awfully hard to bet against him right now. The 21-year-old is fresh off his first PGA TOUR win and looks ready to keep the party going. He bombs it off the tee, stuffs approach shots and rolls in putts, exactly the formula that wins at Detroit Golf Club. Momentum is a real thing in golf, and Koivun has plenty of it. Don’t be surprised if he’s right back in the mix for another top-five finish this weekend.
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Chris Gotterup Top-5 Finish (+345)
Gotterup has all the ingredients to cash a top-five ticket this week. One of the TOUR’s longest hitters, Gotterup can take full advantage of Detroit Golf Club’s wide fairways and reachable par 5s, where birdies come in bunches. He’s been one of the hottest players on TOUR this season, and his confidence is sky-high every time he tees it up. If he keeps bombing drives and giving himself plenty of eagle and birdie looks, don’t be surprised to see Gotterup hanging around the top of the leaderboard all weekend.
Xander Schauffele to Win (+1550)
Schauffele is simply too good to ignore at these odds. He’s quietly been knocking on the door all season, and this feels like the perfect place for everything to click. Detroit Golf Club rewards elite ball-strikers, gives players plenty of birdie chances and doesn’t feature the loaded fields Schauffele has been battling most of the year. If you’re looking for a proven superstar at a surprisingly generous number, this is the week to back Xander to get back in the winner’s circle.
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Johnny Keefer to Win (+9600)
Keefer is the kind of long shot who could make everyone look smart on Sunday. He absolutely crushes the ball off the tee, ranks among the TOUR’s best ball-strikers and has already shown he can contend on courses that reward aggressive play. Sure, the putter can be an adventure, but if it cooperates for four rounds, Keefer has the game to surprise this field. At long odds, he’s the perfect boom-or-bust outright pick with serious winning upside.
One-and-Done Play of the Week
If you play in a One-and-Done league, the idea is simple: You get to use each golfer once all season, so picking the right spot matters.
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Rickie Fowler is the One-and-Done pick I’m riding this week. The 2023 Rocket Classic champion knows exactly how to attack Detroit Golf Club, and he’s arriving with confidence after another solid finish at The Open. Fowler’s iron game is trending, his putter is heating up and this course has already proven to be one of his favorites. If you’re looking to save the biggest stars for later in the season, this is the perfect week to trust Fowler. A familiar course, plenty of birdie chances and winning experience make him a fantastic One-and-Done play.
Last Week’s Result
3M Open: Tom Kim – T20: $103,840
Season Total: $7,083,949
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Betting section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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