Latest news with #RocketClassic2025
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Rocket Classic: PXG's Jake Knapp Climbs 124 Spots with New Scoring Record
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Rocket Classic got off to a hot start with Min Woo Lee tying the course record at Detroit Golf Club with a 63, but that record didn't last long. Two other players came in later and posted 62s. Well, it looks like there's something in the Michigan air, because less than a day later, we have a new course record. PKG ambassador Jake Knapp lit it up with an 11-under 61, which is even crazier when you realize he shaved 11 strokes off his score from the day before. That round launched him 124 spots up the leaderboard, landing him in a tie for sixth, with the round still in progress. Knapp went bogey-free, carding an eagle and nine birdies. One of the standout moments? A 34-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th. Jake Knapp of the United States prepares to play a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Jake Knapp of the United States prepares to play a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan."It was a good day. I mean, yesterday I felt like I was doing everything OK, not great, and then just kind of did everything a little bit better today," he said after his second round performance. "Putting was tough yesterday, I didn't make anything. In the afternoon a little bit bumpier greens, it's just sometimes how it goes." "Was able to definitely hit it a little bit closer today, and I drove it a lot better, which was nice, so had a lot more chances." This is his second course record of the season. You might remember Knapp fired a first-round 59 during the Cognizant Classic at the Champion Course at PGA National. The 31-year-old talked about it after wrapping up his second round in Detroit. "I'm definitely not afraid of shooting a low number, I feel like when I start making birdies, I want to make more," he said. "I was even kind of thinking about 59 when I stuck it close on my third to last for eagle and figured I could maybe eagle that and birdie the last two." Jake Knapp's achieved 25 rounds in the 60s so far this season, including that insane 59 and this Friday's 61. But he hasn't quite been able to string those performances together. So far, he's only got two top-10 finishes: a tied for sixth at the Cognizant Classic and a tied for third at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. More Golf: Pair of Surprising PGA Tour Pros Set Course Record at Rocket Classic
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
PGA Tour Fans Want 'Media Training' for Collin Morikawa Amid Reporter Feud
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The PGA Tour is in Detroit this week for the Rocket Classic. The weather is expected to be warm, but the course is not the only thing heated. Collin Morikawa still has not recovered his cool from his heated exchange with a reporter during his pre-tournament press conference. After his first-round performance, a (different) member of the press covering the event asked him to expand on the topic, and the two-time major champion jumped at the chance. Morikawa elaborated on the reasons that led him to speak the way he did during Wednesday's press conference. "I have to stand up for myself because I'm not going to let someone throw little jabs at me and just make me into someone I'm not, because I know who I am and that's all that matters." 'I think I have to stand up for myself because I'm not going to let someone throw little jabs at me…' Collin Morikawa follows up on the exchange he had with a reporter during his pre-tournament press conference. — (@GOLF_com) June 26, 2025 "I know my people, my team, my family know who I am, but this whole perception out there right now is just, it's a little ridiculous." The 28-year-old player also revealed details about his relationship with this particular reporter. "Look, this has happened twice between the same -- between me and Alan. It hasn't happened between anyone else. A lot of other reporters, media, I respect everyone." Fans have shown no mercy to Morikawa for returning to this topic, leaving both criticism and advice on social media: "Dude DEFINITELY needs to hire a PR consultant," @johnshewchuk said. "The irony is if he hadn't have raised this issue, nobody would even be aware of it. He needs to defend himself from himself, first and foremost. Desperately needs a PR person to advise him," @thisguy290 posted. "What the f**k is this dude doing, this is an elite level of owning yourself," @jonhawks317 wrote. "He's trying to create drama bc he feels that golfers are treated unfairly. If you read the article, there are literally no jabs thrown. He should just worry about putting honestly," @tushpush4L posted. Collin Morikawa of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the first round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Collin Morikawa of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the first round of the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 26, 2025 in Detroit, it was precisely the putting that was the core issue in Morikawa's poor first round at the Rocket Classic, golf-wise. The six-time PGA Tour winner lost 4.7 strokes with his putting, the worst record of the 156 players in the field. "I've been so focused on hitting my irons better that I haven't put enough honestly time into putting. The last couple weeks haven't been great, but they haven't felt as bad," he said. Morikawa carded an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys on Thursday for a 3-under 69. That score keeps him tied for 66th place. He will tee off at 12:54 pm ET on Friday. More Golf: Tiger Woods looks good as son Charlie kills it at Nicklaus Jr event
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Pair of Surprising PGA Tour Pros Set Course Record at Rocket Classic
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The PGA Tour shifted from the pressure-packed Travelers Championship last week to the Rocket Classic in Detroit this week. And in the opening round itself, the golf world witnessed not only low scores but some record-breaking performances. In just 18 minutes apart from each other, two PGA Tour professionals, Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter, torched Detroit Golf Club with matching 10-under 62s, setting a new 18-hole course record. Rocket Classic 2025: Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter carded matching 10-under 62s, just 8 minutes apart, at the 18-hole scoring record at Detroit Golf Club. (Image Collage | Getty images) Rocket Classic 2025: Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter carded matching 10-under 62s, just 8 minutes apart, at the 18-hole scoring record at Detroit Golf Club. (Image Collage | Getty images) Getty Images Roy, 35, and Potgieter, 20, couldn't be more different in age or experience, but they now share a similar slice of memory from the Rocket Classic. Roy began on the front nine and closed with an eagle-birdie finish, including a chip-in from 30 feet on the par-5 17th. "I was shocked my 5-wood went that far," Roy said. "I had 279 pin, I don't hit a 5-wood that far but maybe a little adrenaline or something going on. Luckily just trickled off the back... rolled in like a two-footer. Certainly a bonus." It's not Roy's first 62 this season, he also opened with the same number at the Puerto Rico Open. But this one, he said, meant more. "This is a much harder golf course... Puerto Rico's a lot more wedges. This one, you're going to have more 9, 8, 7, 6-irons into some holes. This one definitely I'll put on top of Puerto Rico for sure." A pair of course record 62s, carded 8 minutes apart (!) Aldrich Potgieter and Kevin Roy share the lead @RocketClassic. — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2025 Potgieter, on the other hand, scorched the course with a 7-under 29 going out. He nearly stole the outright lead on his final hole, but his 12-foot birdie putt on No. 9 grazed the edge. "I did, I started walking after it," he said after his round. "But it was a good putt, I'm happy with it... just a little unfortunate but I'll take the 62 still." This marks Potgieter's first career 18-hole lead/co-lead in just his 20th PGA Tour start. He's already had a breakout season, with a playoff loss at the Mexico Open and a T6 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Interestingly, he currently leads the Tour in driving distance at 326.6 yards. He admitted he was amazed to see Roy's name at 10-under. "I was standing on the last hole and I looked at the leaderboard and saw someone else at 10, so I was real eager to make that putt on the last." "But it's impressive... I saw [Min Woo Lee's] score at 9 under so I knew there were some opportunities out there," he stated. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Min Woo Lee of Australia looks on as he walks the fifth hole during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12,... AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Min Woo Lee of Australia looks on as he walks the fifth hole during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. More Photo byThe previous 18-hole scoring record at Detroit Golf Club was 63, tied 10 times since the tournament's inception in 2019. That mark was matched earlier in the day by Min Woo Lee, Mark Hubbard, and Max Greyserman, before Roy and Potgieter rewrote the number. Lee, who won the Texas Children's Houston Open in March, carded 10 birdies in his round of 63. Hubbard and Greyserman also posted bogey-free rounds to stay within striking distance. In round 2, Roy and Potgieter will tee off early on Friday, with Roy scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET and Potgieter at 6:56 a.m. ET. More Golf: Min Woo Lee Looks for Sister's Footsteps, Goes Nuclear at Rocket Classic
USA Today
a day ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Rocket Classic 2025: Second round live leaderboard updates, tee times, how to watch
There were plenty of low scores to be had at Detroit Golf Club during the opening round of the 2025 Rocket Classic. Could we see another birdie-fest today? On Thursday, Aldrich Potgeiter and Kevin Roy both carded 10-under 62 — a course record — and entered Friday as co-leaders, both seeking their first win on the PGA Tour. But there are dozens of players within striking distance and a lot of golf left to be played. Follow along for live updates, scores, highlights, tee times and more from Friday's second round of the 2025 Rocket Classic. Rocket Classic 2025 leaderboard Stay up-to-date with every score being carded in Detroit with our 2025 Rocket Classic leaderboard from USA TODAY Sports. Here's what it looked like at the top entering Friday's second round; Rocket Classic 2025 second round tee times Click here to see every tee time for the first two rounds of the 2025 Rocket Classic. What's the weather forecast for Friday at the Rocket Classic? Friday will be hot and muggy on the golf course, with highs in the low 90s with humidity nearing 70 percent. There's another chance of storms later in the afternoon, as there has been at Detroit Country Club seemingly everyday this week. If they stay dry, the weather should provide excellent scoring conditions, with light winds blowing at 5-10 mph from the south. Rocket Classic 2025 betting odds Here's a look at the betting odds heading into Friday's second round, courtesy of BetMGM. How to watch the second round of the 2025 Rocket Classic How much money does the winner get at the 2025 Rocket Classic? The total purse for the 2025 Rocket Classic is $9.6 million, with $1.728 million going to the winner. Who won the Rocket Classic last year? Australia's Cam Davis was the champion at Detroit Country Club in 2024 with a finish score of 18 under. Davis also won this event in 2021. Other past champions include Rickie Fowler (2023), Tony Finau (2022) and Bryson DeChambeau (2020).
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Min Woo Lee Looks for Sister's Footsteps, Goes Nuclear at Rocket Classic
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. It seems that Min Woo Lee wants to extend the family party to celebrate his sister's spectacular victory at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Less than a week after Minjee Lee conquered the PGA Frisco, Min Woo is doing the same at Detroit Golf Club. It's fair to say there's still plenty of golf left to play at the Rocket Classic, but Lee couldn't have stamped his authority more clearly at the start of tournament. Such was his dominance that he even tied the course record. Lee started the round on the 10th tee, and at first, it seemed like nothing special would happen. He birdied the first hole and bogeyed the second, but from then on, he found his best golf and continued making birdies until he achieved one of the best rounds of his career. Min Woo Lee of Australia during a Pro-Am prior to the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 25, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Min Woo Lee of Australia during a Pro-Am prior to the Rocket Classic 2025 at Detroit Golf Club on June 25, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Gregory Shamus/Getty Image The 26-year-old birdied four more holes on the first nine to make the turn at 4-under. The second nine was much better for him, as he made five more birdies without bogeys to finish with an outstanding score of 9-under 63. This score ties the course record, which had been posted by numerous players, most recently by Andrew Landry, who carded it during the second round of the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Lee gained 3.091 strokes with his putting during the first round, a crucial aspect of achieving such a remarkable result: "Putting was nice, short game was nice, approach shot was pretty nice," he said after his performance. "Driving was good early, got kind of shaky there I would hit driver on 8 but didn't know where the ball was going so I hit iron and made birdie the traditional way." "Yeah, everything was pretty solid. I think the putter was working quite nicely though." Let. Him. Cook. 🔥@MinWoo27Lee ties the course record @RocketClassic with 10 birdies and an opening-round 63! — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2025 The fact that his sister Minjee Lee won the third major of the LPGA Tour season just four days ago didn't go unnoticed during his press conference. Min Woo confirmed that his sister serves as a sort of inspiration for him: "I don't think she learns that much off me. I try to learn off her. She's a beast when she's playing good, she just doesn't do much wrong." The score of 63 during the first round of the Rocket Classic also ties Min Woo Lee's best round of the 2025 PGA Tour season. His previous 63 came in the third round of the Houston Open and was crucial to his eventual victory. That win was the first for the Australian in his PGA Tour career. It is his only top-10 finish this season, in which he has earned four other top 25s. More Golf: Tiger Woods looks good as son Charlie kills it at Nicklaus Jr event
