Michael Thorbjornsen captured his first PGA Tour victory at the final Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, finishing two shots ahead of the field with a seven-under 63 in the closing round. The 24-year-old clinched the title with a 26-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, securing a total score of 18 under par at the Detroit-based event.
Thorbjornsen, who entered the final round three shots behind overnight leader Davis Riley, surged into the lead with a series of birdies, including a crucial chip-in from 35 feet at the 12th hole. He maintained a bogey-free round despite challenging weather conditions that transitioned from rain to wind as the day progressed. His final birdie putt, described as a “perfect pace” and “perfect read,” sealed the victory and ensured his entry into the FedEx Cup playoffs. Currently ranked 69th in the standings, Thorbjornsen will be among the top 70 players to advance to the postseason following next week’s Wyndham Championship.
“It’s great to be playing against the best players in the world,” Thorbjornsen said after the win, marking him as the eighth first-time PGA Tour winner this season and the second in consecutive weeks, following Jackson Koivun’s triumph at the 3M Open.
Riley, who had early control of the leaderboard, struggled in the final round with four bogeys, falling back to third place at 16 under. Xander Schauffele briefly held the lead during the round and finished second at 16 under, two shots behind Thorbjornsen. Schauffele acknowledged his competitor’s strong performance, saying, “I played really well and he just beat me straight up, so hats off to him.” Rasmus Hojgaard, Hideki Matsuyama, Matt Wallace, and Kristoffer Ventura rounded out the top positions, with scores ranging from 14 to 15 under par.
Born in Cleveland and raised in Massachusetts, Thorbjornsen attended Stanford University and turned professional in 2024 after leading the PGA Tour University rankings. He previously won the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur, where he defeated Akshay Bhatia, a three-time PGA Tour winner. Reflecting on his transition, Thorbjornsen praised the PGA Tour University program, describing it as transformative for many up-and-coming players.
This tournament marked the eighth and final iteration of the Rocket Mortgage Classic under its current format. The PGA Tour is set to introduce a new structure in 2028, dividing into two tiers, a move that prompted Rocket Mortgage to decline continuing as a host. The Detroit-based sponsor cited concerns over the US$15 million annual commitment required for participation in the secondary tier of the restructured tour.
Tournament director Mark Hollis expressed hope for professional golf’s future in Michigan, noting ongoing discussions about potentially reestablishing a tournament in the state, underscoring the region’s strong fan support and the event’s popularity during its tenure.