DETROIT — Jason Langwell, the tournament’s executive Director, approaches the fourth-year of the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic in less than 30 days.
Although the RMC was excited to debut in 2019, COVID-19 stopped it from gaining momentum at a fanless 2020 event. Langwell was unsure about the attendance arrangements last year as the coronavirus lingering over Michigan meant Langwell was unsure. Although fans were permitted, the experience was modified from 2019.
Langwell is hoping to produce a strong Year 2 at Detroit Golf Club from July 28-31. This will be aided by a new date to attract more high-profile players. He described previous challenges as “disguised chances” that helped tournament officials learn what they needed to make this year’s event a success.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic’s initial nine-player field was released Wednesday. Some past stars are missing: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Phil Mickelson have all left the PGA Tour of Saudi Arabia-backed LIV golf. Bryson de Chambeau, the 2020 RMC champion who was also an ambassador for Rocket Mortgage, has been dropped. He had committed to LIV.
Langwell spoke with the Free Press and discussed his commitments to Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris and Rickie Fowler as well as the effects of the tournament date change.
Q: Rocket Mortgage Classic was moved from July 4th weekend to the end the month in order to reach the window between FedEx Cup and British Open. What has this specifically done to affect commitments?
A: The players see their world and the schedule decisions they make as windows between majors. Our block is different, so we certainly picked up some players we wouldn’t otherwise have.
Matt Kuchar describes someone who plays a lot in the early mornings and tries to take as much time off during the summer to spend with his family. Justin Rose is an example of someone who plays a lot earlier than others. He travels across the pond to play some golf overseas, and prepare for the Open Championship. We haven’t had this window but now he is at the same place, sort of looking at where he is from a FedEx Cup points perspective, the window works for him.
“But then there are those who return back, and I would suggest that they play a little less steadily. It’s about choosing the right places where they feel they can win. Kevin Kisner is an example of someone who can… well, he’s the defending champ at Wyndham. Kevin Kisner would say “Hey, I love RMC and I love Detroit, but it’s hard for me to go back and defend.”
Kevin called me thinking that I would hear him say, “Hey guys, I love it but …'” And he was more like, “Look, I don’t know if my finish outside the top 20 there. I feel like I deserve to win. I’m going to play cities that I love, places that I believe I can win, and Detroit.
It’s different for everyone. However, we have seen that the best thing about the new date as a community is that it allows us to keep many of our regulars, who love the city and the golf course, while also opening up opportunities for people who find it more convenient for them.
Q. How has Will Zalatoris’ recent success raised the profile of the field.
A: “Will enjoyed last year’s experience, despite not being able to play well on weekends. Not just here, but throughout downtown Detroit. Will is eager to return. He’s the only one who has had more success this year in the majors without a win, and it’s a man like him.
“And so having him in is amazing. He is not only a great player but also a wonderful, amazing human being.
He said that it was important for him to return and reunite with those he had met last year, people with whom he has remained close and who have supported him. That’s the best thing about Detroit: we have a lot fans that will keep in touch and interact with us, whether it’s through their social media channels or by grabbing direct contact.
Tony Finau reacts to his putt on the 13th green during the final round of the 2021 Northern Trust Golf Course at Liberty National Golf Course, Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by John Minchillo/Associated Press).
Q. What is Tony Finau’s contribution to the field, as a first-timer and also making a name in the field?
A: Tony is a man who came in. We were able expose the event through our Rocket Mortgage Fall Classic in 2020 which was a special we did in the fall. He’s a guy like me, and I feel that he’s in the same shoes as Will. He’s right there. He won two times on Tour (ranked No. He is ranked 17th in the world. He’s another well-liked player and his presence here is a benefit.
Q. What does Rickie Fowler’s commitment as an ambassador for Rocket Mortgage mean?
A: “He’s someone who’s been steady, just for the sake of being a steady supporter and voice on the market. He’s also someone who can spread good news to the players in the locker room. It is important to have his support. He’s also done a lot of things off the golf course during the week to help us end the digital divide here in Detroit.
“I spent some time with him this week at Travelers. We chatted about the course and the changes we’re making to it. He’s also great about giving feedback. It’s great to have a veteran fan favorite back on the field who can give good input and be a listener. He is always available in the locker room for feedback. That’s what he has been and will continue to be.
Q. How have Bryson DeChambeau’s departure and LIV Golf impacted the field?
A: “There is obviously a lot to talk about with them, and frankly, it’s been positive in that there’s a lot more people talking about golf. Because of the content and the words being said, it’s brought in the casual and fringe golf fan into the conversation. We’ve also seen some benefits in our traffic to our digital channels as well as our ticket sales.
“Every year, we have had a new field and it has been a great field. We’ll have a new field this year. It will be a great field. There will be players who decide to take a week off to play or to go to another country. This has always been true. There’s now another place you could play.
So we just roll with it. We remain focused and committed to the work we do in Detroit. We have one of the most popular golfers on earth, as well as a few other guys who are among the top 50, major championship winners, and former world No. These are players who have made a successful career and have been regular winners on the tour.
They are just incredible people who come here to play golf, advance in the FedEx Cup standings and because they love what we do and the digital divide in Detroit. We are excited about the people who will be coming, but we also want to focus on those who would like to be here. And we couldn’t be happier that they made these choices.
Patrick Cantlay reacts to making birdie at the 11th hole during the final round RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links, April 17, 2022 in Hilton Head Island. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images).
Q. Are you still in contact with Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay?
Q: “We have announced our initial field. Much like in the past events occur and players play. Given the fact that we are closer to the playoffs, it is inevitable that more players will commit. So those conversations continue with Patrick and Justin with all the top players around the world. They continued their conversations this week and Travelers had many great conversations. We are hopeful and excited to announce new field additions in the coming weeks.
Contact Mason Young: MEYoung@freepress.com Follow him on Twitter: @Mason_Young_0
By: Mason Young
Title: Has LIV Golf helped PGA Tour events sell tickets? That’s what one tournament director said
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/06/29/pga-tour-liv-tickets-rocket-mortgage-detroit/
Published Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2022 21:00:05 +0000
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