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Detroit — It's a first for the last.
Michael Thorbjornsen won his first tournament on the PGA Tour when he stormed the back nine to claim the title at the last Rocket Classic on what turned out to be a sunny Sunday, after all, at Detroit Golf Club.
Thorbjornsen shot a final-round 63 to finish at 18 under for a two-shot win. He shot 5 under on the back nine, sealing things with a 26-foot birdie putt before a massive crowd gathered around the 18th hole.
Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, one of the biggest names in the field and playing the Rocket for the first time, made a Sunday charge and at one brief point had the lead all to himself. He finished at 16 under, solo second place.
Thorbjornsen, 24, is a Massachusetts native who had a decorated amateur career before turning pro two years ago.
His win gives the PGA Tour another young-gun champion, after 21-year-old Jackson Koivin's win last week.
Thorbjornsen's best finish on the PGA Tour before Sunday was runner-up, which he did twice, including in his third start as a pro at the John Deere Classic in July 2024. His best finish this season had been a tie for seventh at the Scottish Open last month.
He becomes the fourth player to make the Rocket Classic his first PGA Tour win, joining Nate Lashley (2019), Cam Davis (2021) and Aldrich Potgieter (2025), and he held off arguably the best field in the tournament's history to get it done.
More: The News' tee-to-green coverage of final Rocket Classic, right here
Cameron Young, ranked No. 3 in the world, finished at 12 under, tied for eighth, with Rickie Fowler, the 2023 Rocket Classic champion who started Sunday three shots back but couldn't mount one last charge.
Fowler did birdie the 18th to elicit one more roar. As he walked off the green, fans yelled, "Thank you, Rickie."
Fowler then grabbed a microphone, and told the crowd, "Thank you, Detroit."
This is a developing story. Check back to detroitnews.com for more coverage.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michael Thorbjornsen wins final Rocket Classic for first PGA Tour victory
Continue reading...
Michael Thorbjornsen won his first tournament on the PGA Tour when he stormed the back nine to claim the title at the last Rocket Classic on what turned out to be a sunny Sunday, after all, at Detroit Golf Club.
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Thorbjornsen shot a final-round 63 to finish at 18 under for a two-shot win. He shot 5 under on the back nine, sealing things with a 26-foot birdie putt before a massive crowd gathered around the 18th hole.
Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele, one of the biggest names in the field and playing the Rocket for the first time, made a Sunday charge and at one brief point had the lead all to himself. He finished at 16 under, solo second place.
Thorbjornsen, 24, is a Massachusetts native who had a decorated amateur career before turning pro two years ago.
His win gives the PGA Tour another young-gun champion, after 21-year-old Jackson Koivin's win last week.
Thorbjornsen's best finish on the PGA Tour before Sunday was runner-up, which he did twice, including in his third start as a pro at the John Deere Classic in July 2024. His best finish this season had been a tie for seventh at the Scottish Open last month.
He becomes the fourth player to make the Rocket Classic his first PGA Tour win, joining Nate Lashley (2019), Cam Davis (2021) and Aldrich Potgieter (2025), and he held off arguably the best field in the tournament's history to get it done.
More: The News' tee-to-green coverage of final Rocket Classic, right here
Cameron Young, ranked No. 3 in the world, finished at 12 under, tied for eighth, with Rickie Fowler, the 2023 Rocket Classic champion who started Sunday three shots back but couldn't mount one last charge.
Fowler did birdie the 18th to elicit one more roar. As he walked off the green, fans yelled, "Thank you, Rickie."
Fowler then grabbed a microphone, and told the crowd, "Thank you, Detroit."
Rocket Classic champions
- 2019: Nate Lashley, -25
- 2020: Bryson DeChambeau, -23
- 2021: Cam Davis (playoff), -18
- 2022: Tony Finau, -26
- 2023: Rickie Fowler (playoff), -24
- 2024: Cam Davis, -18
- 2025: Aldrich Potgieter (playoff), -22
- 2026: Michael Thorbjornsen, -18
This is a developing story. Check back to detroitnews.com for more coverage.
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michael Thorbjornsen wins final Rocket Classic for first PGA Tour victory
Continue reading...
