Rocket Mortgage Classic 2022: Tony Finau, other big names playing well early in Detroit

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With past stars Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson off to LIV Golf, the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic was banking on other big names to start fast and finish well.

The early participants fared better than their afternoon competitors, who battled high winds, but so far, so good for several notable players during Thursday's first round at the Detroit Golf Club.

After winning the 3M Open last weekend in Minnesota, world No. 16 Tony Finau finished the morning wave in the lead with an 8-under-par 64, one stroke shy of the club record, thanks to eight birdies. For the first time in his career, he hit all 18 greens in regulation, giving himself at least a birdie putt on each hole, and he landed in 13 of 14 fairways.

Tony Finau follows his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club on July 28, 2022.
Tony Finau follows his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club on July 28, 2022.

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"This game's a funny game, because sometimes you play well and the next week you're a little flat, sometimes you play well and you keep it going," Finau said post-round. "It was nice to keep it going after last week and keep it going today."

Taylor Pendrith, who played four groups behind Finau, shared the 18-hole lead. Finau was grouped with Cam Davis and Nate Lashley, the 2021 and 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic winners, respectively. The pair of previous champs are tied for 22nd after 4-under 68s.

"I was riding the high off of last week," Finau said. "Every week is different. I've had enough experience out here, I know these guys pretty well. I've known Nate Lashley for a long time, and it was actually my first time playing with Cam Davis. I know he's a great player. Both great champions here. I knew I needed to play well and we had a pretty nice grouping today."

Golf fans watch Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler and Jason Day putt on the 9th green during Round 1 of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit on Thurs., July 28, 2022.
Golf fans watch Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler and Jason Day putt on the 9th green during Round 1 of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit on Thurs., July 28, 2022.

Simpson starts strong

Webb Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open winner and a seven-time PGA Tour winner, finished the first round tied for third with Tour driving distance leader Cameron Champ and two others via a 6-under 66. Birdieing hole Nos. 1 and 2, among six other holes, and playing bogey-free gave him the start he needed.

"No fives on the scorecard, that's always a good thing," Simpson said. "Took care of the par-5s and no bogeys. I hit a couple loose shots there on 1 and 2 off the tee, but got away with it, had clean looks, made birdies on both those holes. Around Detroit Golf Club, that's not very normal to hit it in the rough two holes in a row, make two birdies.

"But just took care of the par-5s like you have to do here, four par-5s. Overall, just really solid, didn't give myself too many putts where I'm sweating over them for par. Super-happy with the work I put in last week on my week off, and yeah, right where I want to be after Round 1."

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Si Woo Kim, the 2017 Players Championship winner finished right behind Simpson and Champ at 5-under, as did Zach Johnson, next year's U.S. Ryder Cup captain.

World No. 4 Patrick Cantlay carded a 2-under 70 — as did his playing partner, 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland — not the best start in his first trip to Detroit, but one he can work with. Bogeys on Nos. 5 and 17 dragged his scoring, and he managed only four birdies in the round.

Former World No. 1 and 12-time Tour winner Jason Day was locked with 10-time victor Matt Kuchar at 3-under and in 33rd place. Fan favorite Rickie Fowler, a Rocket Mortgage ambassador, was further removed from the rest, tied for 121st at 1-over.

Theegala battles elements

Among the afternoon groups, standout rookie Sahith Theegala played one of the better rounds, finishing 4-under to tie Davis and Lashley. Former world No. 1 Adam Scott trailed with a 3-under 69.

World No. 13 Will Zalatoris matched Cantlay at 2-under and 53rd place as he chases his first win on Tour. He bogeyed Nos. 2 and 15 while carding four birdies. World No. 19 Cameron Young, who finished second at the British Open, was right behind at 1-under.

World No. 20 Max Homa, Keegan Bradley and Kevin Kisner, who will look to defend his Wyndham Championship title next weekend, were bitten by the wind, finishing tied for 110th at even par.

U.S. Presidents Cup captain Davis Love III struggled, ending his day 6-over in 153rd place.

Contact Mason Young: MEYoung@freepress.com Follow him on Twitter: @Mason_Young_0

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rocket Mortgage Classic: Tony Finau, Webb Simpson among standouts