2026 Rocket Classic: A Thrilling Start to the Tournament
The 2026 Rocket Classic kicked off on Thursday at the freshly restored Detroit Golf Club, and it’s been a day to remember. Long-time PGA Tour member Peter Malnati has taken the lead in the record books, firing a stunning 9-under 61 on the par-72, turned par-70, Donald Ross design.
Malnati’s impressive performance has left him two strokes ahead of former tournament champion Rickie Fowler and Ryan Gerard, who continues to impress following his top-10 finish at The Open a couple of weeks ago.
When asked about his game, Malnati expressed his surprise at how well he played. ‘I thought it would play tougher, too, honestly,’ he said. ‘They got rid of the two most scorable holes and turned them… I think they made the tee shot a little tougher, but the tee shot on 17 I feel like’s a little tougher now. So, it’s really, on paper, it is more challenging. Very soft, which helps. But I played great. I didn’t like… you know, I don’t think I took advantage of a super easy course, I played great, which was fun.’
Malnati’s game plan was to play smart and take advantage of the course’s conditions. ‘I’ve been working on all of it,’ he said. ‘Nothing specific. We know the name of the game, driver between the left rough and right rough, approach shots on the green, hopefully in the right section, hopefully below the hole, but that doesn’t always matter. I’m always working on ways to control that ball a little more.’
Malnati’s strategy seems to be paying off, as he’s currently in the lead and has a chance to break the 60 barrier. However, he knows that the competition will be fierce, and he’ll need to stay focused to maintain his position.
Other notable players in the running include Patrick Fishburn, Patrick Cantlay, Michael Kim, Chris Kirk, Keegan Bradley, Stephan Jaeger, Doug Ghim, Michael Brennan, and Hayden Springer. These players will be looking to catch up with Malnati and make a move in the leaderboard.
As the tournament continues, it’s clear that the 2026 Rocket Classic is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable event. Will Malnati be able to hold onto his lead, or will one of the other players make a comeback? Only time will tell.
