Behind a ridiculous final nine, Michael Thorbjornsen wins Rocket Classic

Michael Thorbjornsen, whose words about an impending victory proved prophetic, secured his first PGA Tour title at the Rocket Classic. His sensational finish on the back nine was the deciding factor.

Young Danish golfer Michael Thorbjornsen, just 24 years old, has validated his ambitions by clinching his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Rocket Classic. His triumph was sealed by an incredible performance on the closing nine holes, where he displayed composure and skill to outlast strong competition.

Back in February at the WM Phoenix Open, where Thorbjornsen led late before finishing tied for third, he shared his thoughts on future success. “You put yourself in those positions more and more,” Thorbjornsen said, “you get more comfortable, you learn every single time whether you do well or — I mean whether the result is good or bad necessarily. If you’re talking about wins or losses. I don’t think I failed out there. I’m just learning. So, yeah, I put myself in that position. I was leading after what, 70 holes, 69 holes, whatever it was. I mean, we’re inching our way closer and closer. It’ll happen at some point.”

About a month later, at The Players Championship, where he entered the final round in second place, Thorbjornsen reiterated his confidence: “Yeah, just keep trying your best. If you keep putting yourself in that position, it’s going to happen at some point. So I think that’s really the main goal of all of us players out here is to have a chance or be in contention on the back nine on Sunday, and however the cards may fall, that’s just how it is.”

During Sunday’s final round of the Rocket Classic, competitors around Thorbjornsen faltered. Third-round leader Davis Riley bogeyed holes 2, 4, and 6. Michael Brennan, who started the day one back, made two double bogeys, one involving a tee shot out of bounds. Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele surged, but a bogey on the 13th proved costly. Ryder Cup player Rasmus Hojgaard also made a move, but a bogey on the 11th slowed his momentum. Players Championship winner Cameron Young stalled.

And Thorbjornsen? He made things happen to achieve his goal. A birdie on the par-4 1st at Detroit Golf Club, courtesy of a 12-foot putt. A birdie on the par-5 4th after reaching in two shots to 4 feet. Then came his closing nine, which was sensational. He birdied the par-4 10th after hitting his approach to 6 feet. He birdied the par-4 12th after pitching in from right of the green. He birdied the par-5 14th after pitching to 2 feet, giving him a lead he wouldn't relinquish. A hole later, on the par-3 15th, Thorbjornsen birdied again, dropping his tee shot to 6 feet. He then locked up the title with a birdie on the par-4 18th, sinking a 25-foot putt. All of this, coupled with no bogeys, resulted in a five-under 30 over his final nine holes.

In the end, Thorbjornsen shot a final-round 63 (-7), proving to be the best player on Sunday. He won by two shots, marking his first PGA Tour title at the age of 24. As he predicted, it was only a matter of time.

Key moments of the final round:

• The Start: Sunday’s final round began with Davis Riley holding a one-shot lead at 15-under. Michael Brennan was at 14-under, and Rasmus Hojgaard, Chris Kirk, Rickie Fowler, and Cameron Young were at 12-under.
• Early Moves: Riley birdied the par-4 1st with a 49-foot putt, followed by Brennan’s 37-footer for birdie. Riley moved to 16-under, Brennan to 15-under. Kirk was at 13-under, and eight players, including Thorbjornsen, were at 12-under.
• Riley Stumbles: Riley bogeyed the par-4 2nd after his tee shot found trouble, bringing him and Brennan into a tie for the lead at 15-under. Kirk remained at 13-under, with seven players, including Thorbjornsen, at 12-under.
• Brennan Takes the Lead: Brennan birdied the par-4 3rd with an 11-foot putt, taking a one-shot lead at 16-under. Riley was at 15-under, with Ventura, Thorbjornsen, and Kirk at 13-under.
• Riley Loses Ground: Riley bogeyed the par-5 4th after losing his tee shot in the rough, extending Brennan’s lead to two shots at 16-under. Riley, Kirk, and Hojgaard were at 14-under, while Ventura and Thorbjornsen were at 13-under.
• Kirk Closes In: Kirk birdied the par-4 6th with a 35-foot putt, pulling within one shot of the lead. Brennan was at 16-under, Kirk at 15-under, Riley and Hojgaard at 14-under, and Ventura, Thorbjornsen, Fowler, and Xander Schauffele at 13-under.
• Brennan's Double Bogey: Brennan double-bogeyed the par-4 7th after hitting his tee shot out of bounds, creating a six-way tie for the lead at 14-under, including Schauffele, Hojgaard, Kirk, Kim, and Ventura. Thorbjornsen and Riley were at 13-under.
• Schauffele Takes the Lead: Schauffele birdied the par-4 8th, taking a one-shot lead at 15-under. Kim, Ventura, Kirk, Brennan, and Hojgaard were at 14-under, with Thorbjornsen and Riley at 13-under.
• Another Tie: Hojgaard and Brennan also birdied the 8th, resulting in a three-way tie for the lead at 15-under. Schauffele, Hojgaard, and Brennan were at 15-under, Kim, Ventura, Kirk, and Riley at 14-under, and Thorbjornsen and Young at 13-under.
• Hojgaard Leads Again: Hojgaard birdied the par-4 10th with a 14-foot putt, taking a one-shot lead at 16-under. Schauffele, Riley, and Brennan were at 15-under, with Kim, Ventura, Thorbjornsen, and Kirk at 14-under.
• Hojgaard Falters: Hojgaard bogeyed the par-3 11th after missing a 6-foot par putt, leading to a four-way tie for the lead at 15-under: Schauffele, Thorbjornsen, Riley, and Hojgaard.
• Schauffele's Bogey: Schauffele bogeyed the par-4 13th after his tee shot went left, resulting in a three-way tie for the lead at 15-under: Thorbjornsen, Riley, and Hojgaard. Schauffele was at 14-under.
• Thorbjornsen Takes Control: Thorbjornsen birdied the par-5 14th after pitching to 2 feet with his third shot, taking a one-shot lead at 16-under. Schauffele, Riley, and Hojgaard were at 15-under, with Ventura and Brennan at 14-under.
• Extending the Lead: Thorbjornsen birdied the par-3 15th after hitting his tee shot to 6 feet, extending his lead to two shots at 17-under. Schauffele and Riley were at 15-under, with Brennan and Ventura at 14-under.
• Riley's Charge: Riley birdied the 14th hole, moving to within one shot of the lead. Thorbjornsen was at 17-under, Riley at 16-under, and Schauffele and Hojgaard at 15-under.
• The Clinch: Thorbjornsen sealed the victory with a birdie on the par-4 18th, sinking a 25-foot putt. He finished at 18-under. Riley and Schauffele were at 16-under, and Hojgaard was at 15-under.

Final Leaderboard:

• Michael Thorbjornsen: 18-under
• Xander Schauffele: 16-under
• Davis Riley: 15-under
• Rasmus Hojgaard: 14-under

“It feels amazing to be sitting here,” Thorbjornsen said on CBS while watching highlights of his victory. This win is undoubtedly the first of many for his career, and the professional golf world will be watching this young talent closely.