By Mike ‘Mex’ Carey- MSU Athletics and Rocket Mortgage Media
DETROIT (May 12, 2025) – The Rocket Classic announced today that Michigan State University golfer Ashton McCulloch has received a sponsor exemption to compete in its 2025 tournament, scheduled for June 25–29 at Detroit Golf Club. Tournament representatives surprised McCulloch with the news during a special presentation.
McCulloch made his PGA TOUR debut at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, and then qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open after shooting 8-under in a qualifier at the Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada.
“Our commitment to community includes every corner of Michigan. We’re proud to stand behind the Spartans in East Lansing and welcome Ashton to the Rocket Classic,” said Mark Hollis, Chief Operating Officer of Rock Entertainment Group. “Ashton earned his spot among the Big Ten’s best, and we can’t wait to see him make a potential run up the leaderboard at this summer’s tournament.”
McCulloch’s standout junior season earned him multiple honors, including All-Big Ten Second Team recognition and a spot on the All-Midwest Region Team, selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America. He was also named to both the All-Big Ten Championship Team and the Academic All-Big Ten Team.
During his 2023-2024 season, McCulloch led the Spartans with a 70.89 scoring average. He set MSU’s single-season scoring record, surpassing the previous mark of 71.22 set by James Piot in 2021. McCulloch also recorded the lowest 18-hole score in program history with a 10-under-par 61 in the second round of the Johnnie-O at Sea Island in March 2024.
Fans can catch McCulloch and other PGA TOUR champions in action by purchasing daily grounds and shared hospitality venue tickets at RocketClassic.com. Grounds tickets start at $65 per day, and up to four children age 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. LendingTree Lounge and Club Ace shared hospitality passes start at $120 and $230, respectively.
The Rocket Classic will be held from Thursday, June 25 to Sunday, June 29 at the Detroit Golf Club.
Tournament representatives surprised McCulloch with the news during a special presentation following graduation ceremonies on May 5.
McCulloch, an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in 2024, was the team’s top finisher in nine events, including the last six of the year, and carried a 70.89 scoring average over 36 rounds, breaking the previous mark of 71.33 set by former Spartan standout James Piot in 2021.
His performance in 2023-24 also moved him atop the career leaders for scoring average at Michigan State. McCulloch ranks No. 1 all-time (for a minimum of 50 rounds played) at 71.59, besting the mark of 71.99 set by Piot, who played from 2017-22.
In just three-plus years at Michigan State, McCulloch has three seasons that rank among the all-time single season marks. His 70.89 average last year is No. 1, his 71.89 average in 2021-22 as a freshman ranks No. 8 and his 72.46 average in 2022-23 ranks No. 11.
McCulloch was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2022, joining Piot (2018) and current PGA Tour professional Ryan Brehm (2005) as MSU recipients.
In the summer of 2023, McCulloch won the Canadian Amateur title, the third-oldest amateur title in the world, which provided him a spot the 2024 RBC Canadian Open, making his professional debut.
