Peter Malnati fires 61 to lead Rocket Classic as Fowler and Cantlay stay in chase

In the first round of the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club, Peter Malnati recorded a career-best nine-under 61, tying the tournament’s opening-round record and moving two strokes ahead of Rickie Fowler and Ryan Gerard. Patrick Cantlay and Patrick Fishburn trailed by three, while Fowler and Gerard each posted 63s. Defying his caddie’s suggestion to forgo the driver, Malnati launched a tee shot that set up seven birdies on the front nine and a 55-foot birdie putt on the 11th, completing a bogey-free round.

The venue, fresh from a $16 million redesign that turned several par-5s into par-4s and added numerous bunkers, still yielded a “birdie fest” with many competitors posting low numbers. Highlights included Michael Brennan’s eight-birdie stretch and Keegan Bradley’s near-hole-in-one on a par-three. The tournament also marks the final edition under its current financial arrangement as organizers decline participation in the PGA Tour’s new two-tour model for 2028.