'I wanted to just stay at home': PGA Tour leader details recent struggles

Davis Riley, who is currently leading the Rocket Classic, has shared candid thoughts about his recent struggles in the 2026 season. The player admitted that there were times he felt so frustrated with his game that he just wanted to stay home instead of going to the golf course.

"There have been times where I wanted to just stay at home and not play golf, honestly," Riley said. "That’s been tough. To see something that I love hit home really hard has been tough this year."

This season has been a true test for the 29-year-old. Wayward driving, sloppy scoring, and missed cuts in half the tournaments he’s entered have become commonplace. With just one top-10 finish in eight months, and the last of those at the Sony Open in January where he played in the final group on Sunday, he hasn't even caught a whiff of contention since.

"It’s been a grind," Riley added. "So cut me some slack if there were mornings when getting to the golf course felt more like a burden than an opportunity."

However, Sunday at the Rocket Classic promises to be different. After firing a seven-under 63 on Saturday at Detroit Golf Club, Riley will begin the final round with a one-shot lead over Michael Brennan, and he’s suddenly in position to chase his third PGA Tour victory.

Riley, a two-time Tour winner—at the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge and the 2023 Zurich Classic alongside Nick Hardy—said his driver has been his "Achilles heel" this season. This week, he’s found more fairways and paired that improvement with a putter he said has been reliable all year.

"My game’s been trending and getting in the right direction," Riley noted. "I feel like I’m getting back to my best."

Yet, Riley reserved most of the credit for the people around him. "I’m just lucky, honestly, to have the people around me who picked me up when I’ve been down," he said. "I couldn’t do that without the people around me, so I have them to thank just as much as anyone."

He also has another reason to keep things in perspective. Riley and his wife Alexandra are expecting their first child later this month. "She’s definitely at home working hard, just as hard as I am, if not harder than I am out here this week," Riley said. "She’s growing a human and trying to get ready for all that. I owe her everything. I’m thankful for her to go through pregnancy and probably to deal with me on tough days on the golf course."

Sunday doesn’t promise to be easy, either. But he’s got no reason not to want to go to work. His return to form and leading a significant tournament is a testament to his resilience and the support of his loved ones, making his story at the Rocket Classic particularly compelling.