5 Longshots to Target at Rocket Mortgage Classic

There isn’t a massive sample size from which to gather data at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, with only five previous editions of the event, but the golf betting history so far suggests we either take the chalk or a massive flier.

While three of the five champions have come from at or near the top of the board, the other two have owned triple-digit odds prior to the opening round.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five big longshots who could cash those outright tickets this week.

5 Longshots to Target at Rocket Mortgage Classic

Chandler Phillips (+10000)

Very quietly, Phillips is enjoying a strong debut season on the PGA Tour. You might recall his title contention at the Valspar Championship, which ended in a share of third place, but he’s also finished top-12 in each of his two most recent starts. The only drawback from those is that he ranked below field average off the tee each time.

He might need to drive it better to contend at this one, but the rest of the game is in form and this is a tasty number.

Mac Meissner (+10000)

There’s not really a better way to say it, I suppose, other than Meissner has “that look” of a guy who’s going to be a competitive PGA Tour player for a very long time. After a tough start to his rookie campaign, with six top-30 results in his last 11 starts, including a T-5 at Colonial.

The X-factor here is the putter, as the stats show he can get red-hot and ice-cold from a week-to-week basis. If these greens are to his liking, this could be another spot where he shows he belongs. 

Chan Kim (+12500)

For the record, I’m listing a third consecutive rookie here, but Kim is no ordinary first-year guy. The 34-year-old has played just about every major tour around the world, winning eight times on the Japan Golf Tour and twice on the Korn Ferry Tour, while competing in a dozen majors before ever getting his PGA Tour card.

I love not only the experience here, but – much like Eric Cole, last year’s ROY – the need to step on the gas pedal, considering he’s getting a later start on his PGA Tour career than most other rookies. If I’m sprinkling on some outright longshots, I like playing a guy who’s already learned how to win. 

Stewart Cink (+15000)

From the rookies to a longtime veteran. The last player over 50 to win on the PGA Tour? Come on, this is an easy one: It was Phil Mickelson, who at the same time became the first over-50 player to win a major at the 2021 PGA Championship.

All told, there are eight different players beyond half-a-hundred who have triumphed on the PGA Tour, but it wouldn’t be a shock if that list soon gets longer, as older players are now keeping themselves in better shape to hang with the flatbellies. Even though he’s competing in some PGA Tour Champions events, finishing top-10 in each of the last two senior majors, my guess is that Cink still believes he can contend at this level, which is exactly why he’s teeing it up this week. He’s still got plenty of length off the tee and rolls it about as well as he ever has. And if he gets into contention, experience could help against a potential group of players seeking a career-changing win.

Sam Ryder (+20000)

A frequent inclusion in my weekly longshot articles, I wouldn’t invest in Ryder’s floor, but have always believed there’s a pretty solid ceiling if he can put everything together for a week.

You’ve probably seen him more on your TV screen during commercials than the actually golf in recent months, as he’s failed to post a top-25 since The Players, but there are plenty of other players 200/1 or shorter whom I don’t believe have nearly as much a chance of that peak week we’re seeking than Ryder.

Jackson Koivun (+20000)

OK, I lied: I said this article would include my five fave longshots, but I’m giving you a sixth one as a bonus – absolutely free of charge. If Nick Dunlap can win on the PGA Tour as an amateur, then maybe Koivun can quickly follow in his footsteps. The rising sophomore at Auburn recently captured every major piece of collegiate hardware available, moving to second in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

He’s a future star in the making and less than six months after the first amateur in 33 years won at this level, it wouldn’t be nearly as much of a shock if it happens again.