Thorbjornsen wins 1st PGA Tour title in final Rocket Classic - ESPN

DETROIT — 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 title by two shots at the final Rocket Classic on Sunday.

«Perfect pace, perfect read,» he said.

Thorbjornsen, 24, sealed his spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs after rolling into the Motor City ranked No. 69 in the standings. The top 70 advance to the postseason after this week's Wyndham Championship.

«Just to be in the playoff for the first time is very exciting, he said. „It's great to be playing against the best players in the world.“

Thorbjornsen started the fourth round three shots behind leader Davis Riley, whose rough start opened opportunities for the field.

»The start got the best of me and kind of put me behind the eight ball early unfortunately," Riley said.

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.

He's the eighth first-time winner this season on the PGA Tour and the second straight, following Jackson Koivun's victory last week at the 3M Open. Thorbjornsen's 63 is the lowest final round by a first-time winner on the PGA Tour this season.

«It was such a battle, playing with some great players,» Thorbjornsen said. «Everyone was in the mix after nine holes.»

Xander Schauffele (65) briefly led during the final round and finished second, two shots behind Thorbjornsen. It was his third top-five finish this season and sixth top 10.

«I played really well, and he just beat me straight up, so hats off to him,» Schauffele said.

Riley (70) was another stroke behind in third, falling out of the lead with