Michael Thorbjornsen hits from the fifth tee during the final round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo\/Jose Juarez)<\/small><\/p>\n
2026-08-02T22:21:33Z<\/p>\n
DETROIT (AP) \u2014 Michael Thorbjornsen pumped his right fist after making a 26-foot putt for birdie on his last hole to shoot 7-under 63 and reach 18 under to win his first PGA Tour<\/a><\/span> title by two shots at the final Rocket Classic<\/a><\/span> on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cPerfect pace, perfect read,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old Thorbjornsen sealed his spot in the FedEx Cup playoff after rolling into the Motor City No. 69 in the standings. The top 70 advance to the postseason after next week\u2019s Wyndham Championship.<\/p>\n Thorbjornsen started the fourth round three shots behind leader Davis Riley<\/a><\/span>, whose rough start opened opportunities for the field.<\/p>\n \u201cThe start got the best of me and kind of put me behind the eight-ball early unfortunately,\u201d Riley said.<\/p>\n Thorbjornsen took advantage, surging into the lead at No. 14 with his third of four birdies in a six-hole stretch and closing with a clutch, curling putt that went in the right side of the cup.<\/p>\n He\u2019s the eighth first-time winner this season on the PGA Tour and the second straight, following Jackson Koivun\u2019s<\/a><\/span> victory last week at the 3M Open.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was such a battle, playing with some great players,\u201d Thorbjornsen said. \u201cEveryone was in the mix after nine holes.\u201d<\/p>\n Xander Schauffele (65) briefly led during the final round and finished second, two shots behind Thorbjornsen.<\/p>\n \u201cI played really well and he just beat me straight up, so hats off to him,\u201d Schauffele said.<\/p>\n Riley (70) was another stroke behind in third, falling out of the lead with four bogeys.<\/p>\n