Two YouTube golf stars will tee off Thursday at the Rocket Classic in Detroit after receiving sponsor exemptions into the PGA TOUR event.
Former GoodGood member Brad Dalke and The Lads member Ryan Ruffles both earned sponsor exemptions as tournament director Mark Hollis looks to attract a younger audience.
“We’re always looking for ways to connect with new audiences in Detroit and continue building one of the most fan-friendly events on the PGA TOUR,” Hollis said in an article published by The Golf Wire. “Brad has made a tremendous impact both on the course and through the way he connects with fans across different platforms.”
This is not the first PGA TOUR-related event for either player. Dalke was a national NCAA champion and has competed in both the U.S. Open and the Masters. Ruffles has played in 21 PGA TOUR events, making 11 cuts. Most recently, he competed in the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, where he made the cut and finished tied for 45th.
Tournament host Detroit Golf Club underwent a $16.1 million renovation following last year’s event. Golf course architect Tyler Rae restored the course closer to its original Donald Ross design by removing several water hazards, redesigning bunkers, removing trees and expanding the greens.
Dalke, Ruffles and PGA TOUR professional Jake Knapp previewed the renovated course in a YouTube match before the tournament as part of a segment titled “Tour Tuesday.”
“This whole course is unreal,” Dalke said during the video. “I just played it yesterday for the first time, and the course is newly renovated. Off the tee, the course has a U.S. Open feel with all the fescue around the bunkers. It’s really cool. You have to drive it well and keep it in the fairway.”
The group played the back nine in a stiff breeze. Knapp carded two bogeys and one birdie, Ruffles made one birdie and one bogey, and Dalke recorded a lone bogey while parring the remaining holes.
The par-4 17th proved especially difficult, with all three players making bogey.
“What an experience Brad and I get to have this week, joining all the big boys,” Ruffles said during the YouTube round. “Going to absolutely cherish every bit of it.”
Ruffles won the nine-hole stroke-play match but downplayed the result, saying, “A Tuesday win doesn’t mean much.”
Ruffles is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 8:01 a.m. CT, Dalke at 12:49 p.m. CT and Knapp at 12:05 p.m. CT.
Timothy is a founding member of Break80 Golf and a contributing golf and sports writer for Forbes with PGA Tour and LIV Golf media credentials. Timothy can be reached at [email protected] for inquiries or story leads.