As the PGA Tour transitions to the Detroit Golf Club for the 2025 Rocket Classic, several top golfers, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy, will not participate in this key tournament. Their absence is notable amid a strong season and heightened anticipation surrounding the event’s prize and competition level.
Prominent Golfers Absent from the 2025 Rocket Classic Field
Rory McIlroy, who has enjoyed a successful year with three tournament victories including his Masters win that completed his career Grand Slam, will be missing this year’s Rocket Classic. After finishing tied for sixth at the TPC River Highlands, McIlroy announced his decision was motivated by a desire to spend important time with his family in Northern Ireland, prioritizing personal life amid a demanding season.
Similarly, Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1 and a consistent performer who has made the cut in every PGA Tour event this season, will not tee off at Detroit Golf Club. Scheffler has secured three wins in 2025, claiming titles at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the PGA Championship, and the Memorial Tournament—his 16th PGA Tour victory overall. Despite his impressive record and competitive momentum, he will be absent from this tournament’s lineup.
Justin Thomas, who ended a three-year winless period this year by winning the RBC Heritage in a playoff against Andrew Novak, is also not part of the Rocket Classic field. Thomas’s season showed ups and downs, including missed cuts at the PGA Championship and US Open contrasting with a strong tie for ninth place at the Travelers Championship. His absence echoes the previous year when he missed the cut at the Rocket Classic, following his participation in 2023.
Viktor Hovland’s withdrawal comes after a neck injury sustained during the final round of the 2025 Travelers Championship forced him to exit early. While recovering, Hovland will skip the Rocket Classic. This season, he notched his first victory at the Valspar Championship, narrowly defeating Justin Thomas. Hovland’s season also includes three top-15 finishes, although he missed the cut in three events.
Xander Schauffele, who has yet to win in 2025 but had a strong previous year with major championship victories at the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, will not compete in this tournament either. Schauffele’s top performances this season include a tied eighth place at the Masters and an 11th place at the Truist Championship.
Background and Current Stakes of the Rocket Classic
The Rocket Classic, previously known as the Rocket Mortgage Classic, debuted in 2019 and has quickly become a highlight on the PGA Tour schedule. Last year’s champion, Cameron Davis, secured his second Rocket Classic title, taking home $1.656 million out of a $9.2 million total prize purse. For 2025, the purse has increased to $9.6 million, attracting a competitive field despite the absence of these star players.
The Impact of Notable Absences on the Tournament and Future Outlook
The absence of top contenders like Scheffler, McIlroy, Thomas, Hovland, and Schauffele reshapes the competitive landscape at the 2025 Rocket Classic. With several elite golfers sidelined, other players’ chances of claiming the elevated prize money increase significantly, potentially leading to new stories and breakout performances in Detroit.
As the tournament unfolds, fans will watch closely to see how the defending champion and other participants capitalize on the opportunity presented by the missing stars. These changes also underscore the ongoing balance professional golfers must maintain between competition, health, and personal priorities in a demanding tour schedule.