(WXYZ) — The Rocket Classic put on an unprecedented event on Tuesday ahead of the official start of the tournament. During Par 3 in the D, six golfers hit rooftop shots in Downtown Detroit.
Check out the show in the video player below:
The historic event was broadcast on Channel 7, in partnership with the Golf Channel, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Fans also attended in person to watch the event.
WXYZ-TV's Tina Nguyen talks to Rickie Fowler about the historic event:
What is the building?
The golfers hit shots from the rooftop of the Traver | UBS Building at 1217 Woodward Ave. The rooftop is on the fifth floor of the building to the green in Nick Gilbert Way in between the Hudson's Detroit buildings.
How far is the shot?
Officials say the length of the hole is 117 yards with a 90-foot elevation drop.
Who competed?
Six golfers hit shots from the building. There were two practice shots beforehand.
The golfers who competed were:
- Cameron Young
- Xander Shauffele
- Russell Henley
- Rickie Fowler
- Tony Finau
- Keegan Bradley
What happened when the golfers got to the green?
While the golfers hit the shots into the green, they didn't hit the putts. Local students representing the First Tee – Greater Detroit and the College, Career & Beyond program from Midnight Golf teamed up with the PGA TOUR player to complete the hole.
Hear from one of the students who will hit the putts in the video below
The students were:
- Hannah Brizuela, 14, from First Tee – Greater Detroit (partnered with Cameron Young)
- Liam Yang, 13, from First Tee – Greater Detroit (partnered with Tony Finau)
- Julia Hernandez, 13, from First Tee – Greater Detroit (partnered with Xander Schauffele)
- Shaun Horne,from College, Career and Beyond/Midnight Golf (partnered with Keegan Bradley)
- Brizait Gonzalez from College, Career and Beyond/Midnight Golf (partnered with Russell Henley)
- Elijah Robinson from College, Career and Beyond/Midnight Golf (partnered with Rickie Fowler)
Who won the Par 3 in the D challenge?
Xander Schauffele
- Julia Hernandez, 13, from First Tee – Greater Detroit (partnered with Xander Schauffele)
