Michael Thorbjornsen's first PGA Tour win came with an invitation unlike any other
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 08: Michael Thorbjornsen USA looks over his birdie putt on 2 during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 8, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 08 PGA, Golf Herren WM Phoenix Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602080114
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 08: Michael Thorbjornsen USA looks over his birdie putt on 2 during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 8, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 08 PGA, Golf Herren WM Phoenix Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602080114
In 24 hours, Michael Thorbjornsen went from career-defining victory to stepping aside. His maiden PGA Tour title has given him the liberty to take some time off.
Thorbjornsen registered a career-low 63 at the Detroit Club on Sunday as he overcame a four-stroke deficit. As a result of his two-stroke victory, he sealed his spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs and has withdrawn from this week's Wyndham Championship.
Thorbjornsen's 500 FedEx Cup points vaulted him from 69th to 31st in the season standings.
Michael Thorbjornsen USA receives the Rocket Classic Trophy after the final round of the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club on August 02, 2026. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire
Michael Thorbjornsen USA receives the Rocket Classic Trophy after the final round of the Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club on August 02, 2026. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire
The top 70 will be on their way to the postseason after next week’s Wyndham Championship. The 24-year-old will now tee off at the first event of the playoffs, the FedEx St. Jude Championship in mid-August.
Thorbjornsen was short of words after his win.
"The feeling's unbelievable. I don't really know how to feel. I'm feeling a lot of things, I can't really put the words to it. Just extremely, extremely grateful,” he said, as per Al Jazeera's report.
Thorbjornsen cracked the top 40 in the world rankings for the first time. He held off two-time major champion Xander Schauffele’s late charge and a stacked leaderboard as he finished at 18-under for the tournament.
Justin Lower, ranked 285th in the OWGR, is still seeking his first PGA Tour win.
The PGA Tour might not return to the Rocket Classic. Thorbjornsen had his say on that.
Thorbjornsen hopes Rocket Classic returns despite sponsor exit
The PGA Tour has already replaced the Rocket Classic on the 2027 schedule. Title sponsor Rocket Companies withdrew its support, but Thorbjornsen wants to come back.
“Course is great, fans are great. Course got even better this year,” he said, as per HITC's Jordan Harris. “Obviously, you want to be able to come back to a course that you won at. Yeah, I’m crossing my fingers hoping that we kind of do find an event here at some point.”
For at least one season now, Detroit will lose its PGA Tour event. The replaced event will take place from 29th July to 1st August next year at Silverado Resort's North Course in Napa, California.
With Rocket Companies withdrawing, Insurance company Sompo has been announced as the title sponsor of the new event.
What are your thoughts on Thorbjornsen’s withdrawal? Share them in the comments.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason