Peter Malnati shoots 9-under 61 for early lead at final Rocket Classic
Peter Malnati took the early lead at the final Rocket Classic in Detroit, firing a 9-under 61 to start the first round. His bogey-free performance included seven birdies on the front nine and two more on the back. This year marks the final installment of the tournament, as organizers decided against continuing under the PGA Tour's upcoming structural changes.
The Detroit Golf Club hosted the event after undergoing recent renovations. Designers aimed to restore the original vision for the course and increase the difficulty for the field, though many players still carded low scores during Thursday morning play.
Malnati, who last won on the PGA Tour in 2024 at the Valspar Championship, looks for his third career victory. He faces a strong group of competitors this week, including Cameron Young and reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. Rising professional Jackson Koivun is also in the field, fresh off his recent win at the 3M Open.
This tournament serves as one of the last chances for players to secure a spot in the top 70 for the FedEx Cup postseason. Following the completion of the Rocket Classic and next week's Wyndham Championship, the schedule moves into the final phase of the season.