Crush & Fade: Rocket Classic

Welcome to Crush & Fade. This weekly series gives you a quick look back at the previous PGA Tour event and a preview of the week ahead, including top picks, fades, and betting insight.

Travelers Championship Recap

Hey golf fans, how about Captain America himself, Keegan Bradley, with the late comeback and yet another heartbreak for Tommy Fleetwood?

It was another incredible tournament that came down to the wire on Sunday and the 72nd hole. Fleetwood was chasing his first-ever PGA Tour victory, while Bradley was making a serious case to be a playing captain for the USA Ryder Cup team later this summer at Bethpage Black. With his win, Bradley moves up to number seven in the Official World Golf Ranking and number nine in the Ryder Cup standings. Could we see the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer back in the 1960s?

Bradley has made it clear that if he believes he can help the team more by playing, he is open to that role now that he has secured a win and climbed in the rankings.

We will see.

As for Tommy Fleetwood, it was another crushing Sunday collapse. No other way to describe the way he started and finished his round except to call it a collapse. He is incredibly likable and one of the most talented players on Tour. This marked his 42nd Top 10 without a win. Once again, the putter let him down. His post-round comments showed a pro trying to focus on the positives in what was a frustrating finish. He said he will use the experience to stay ready for the next opportunity, and something tells me we might see that long-awaited breakthrough before the 2025 season wraps up.

Rocket Classic Preview

Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan, hosts the PGA Tour this week. It is a Par 72 layout that measures 7,370 yards, and it feels like an event where a lot of players could be in the mix. Cam Davis is the defending champion.

There are several top names looking to get back on track, including Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay, along with a long list of players who have been trending in the right direction.

Sandman Top Bets

With no Scottie or Rory in the field, this week feels wide open. There may not be a slam dunk favorite, but there are still plenty of strong plays on the board and here are a few worth backing.

Ben Griffin to WIN at +2000
The man in the aviators has been playing extremely well this year, and I expect that to continue in Detroit. Among the top 10 players favored by the oddsmakers, I like his form the most. Great value and a strong play.
Collin Morikawa to finish Top 5 at +290
Collin has been close but has not quite put four full rounds together. His precision should serve him well here, and I like him to be in the mix heading into Sunday.
Cam Davis to finish Top 10 at +700
The defending champ has solid form right now, and I expect him to bring strong vibes back to a course he knows well.
Cameron Young to finish Top 20 at +165
He finished T6 here last year but closed with a 73 on Sunday. If he cleans that up, a Top 20 or better is well within reach.

CRUSH:

Ben Griffin to WIN at +2000
Collin Morikawa Top 5 at +290
Cam Davis Top 10 at +700
Cameron Young Top 20 at +165

Fade of the Week

Fades are always tricky since there is no bet to place directly. Instead, it is about steering clear of a popular name who might not deliver.

This week, that player is Hideki Matsuyama.

I really like Hideki, which makes this call tough, but he just does not look right at the moment. His class is undeniable, but the consistency is not there. I will continue to fade him until he strings together four solid rounds.

FADE: