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For the first time since 2009 we have a PGA Tour event in the state of Michigan this week. The Rocket Mortgage Classic is a new event and takes place on a course – Detroit Golf Club – not previously seen at this level. It’s a Donald Ross design and measures 7,340 yards. Par is 72. The tree-lined track has plenty of bunkers and undulating greens which are poa annua with a dose of bentgrass. The sponsors have signed a four-year deal and the talent on show this week includes Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and newly-crowned US Open champion Gary Woodland. That strong front end of the market increases the chances of another home win, a recent trend continued by Chez Reavie in last week’s Travelers Championship. That made it five American winners in the last six PGA Tour events, a sequence only broken by Rory McIlroy’s dominant victory in Canada. Will that run continue? It’s always tough going in blind on a brand new course but let’s try and gather some useful pointers. Angles to consider Current form Well, we have no previous course form to go on, so current form increases in importance. Although this event is wedged between the US Open and Open Championship, it’s not the week after or the week before either so players are less likely to be distracted. In other words, we should get a truer measure of where players’ games lie. Par breakers The event will want to attract more big names in future years and the best way to do that is leave this week’s field with a good impression. Player power is huge these days so it’s fair to expect no tricks and very scorable conditions. The favourable weather forecast adds to the idea that we’ll see lots of birdies and a few eagles (there are four par 5s) this week. Poa annua greens We’ve seen plenty of Poa greens in recent weeks and once more it’s the dominant strain on the putting surfaces at Detroit Golf Club. While some will enjoy another Poa test, others will be craving a return to the Bermuda of Florida. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players have been selected. Sungjae Im The Korean sits 24th in Par Breakers this season and ranked 8th for birdies in last week’s Travelers where he was also 6th for Strokes Gained: Putting. Prior to that tied 21st place, he made four eagles on the way to a top seven finish in the Canadian Open, this time finishing 5th for SG: Putting. Both those events were played on Poa greens so he has the right profile to do well this week. Kevin Streelman Streelman is in promising form of late and followed a top four at Memorial with tied 15th at the Travelers Championship, a tournament he once won by making birdie at his final seven holes. The American made 19 birdies and an eagle at Memorial and added another 15 at TPC River Highlands so looks in good shape to take advantage here of low scoring in Detroit. Aaron Wise Wise won last year’s Byron Nelson with 23-under and sits 13th in Par Breakers this season so is one to watch when scoring is low. He’s dug in well by making the cut in all three majors and opened with a 66 at Pebble Beach before taking tied 35th. He should be able to go flag hunting this week and remind us that he's one of brighitish young talents around. Tips: 0-3; 6.00pts 1pt e.w. Sungjae Im at 50/1 (Betfred, 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7) 21st 1pt e.w. Kevin Streelman at 40/1 (Sky Bet, Betfair, Boylesports, 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 35th 1pt e.w. Aaron Wise at 66/1 (Unibet, 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-) 35th
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