Michael Thorbjornsen secured his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, but the American is set to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to taxes. The 24-year-old claimed the title at Detroit Golf Club on Sunday, finishing 18-under par to edge out Xander Schauffele and other contenders by two shots.
Victory and Prize Money
Thorbjornsen stormed the back nine to clinch the win, draining a 12-foot birdie putt to ignite his charge. He fired a stunning final-round 63, posting 5-under on the back nine before sealing the triumph with a 26-foot birdie putt. The victory handed him a £1.3million ($1.8m) prize pot, but a considerable chunk will be taken straight back out of his pocket.
Tax Implications
The Massachusetts native faces a substantial tax bill, with the majority owed at federal level. Prize money is classed as ordinary income, and at the top marginal rate of 37 per cent, the federal tax liability on £1.3m ($1.8m) amounts to approximately £495,000 ($666,000). This figure does not account for deductible business expenses, retirement contributions, or other allowable deductions.
On top of that, Michigan state income tax dictates that a non-resident generally owes tax on any Michigan-source earnings. The state's flat income tax rate of 4.25 per cent equates to roughly £57,000 ($76,500) on $1.8m. This means Thorbjornsen will owe at least £552,000 ($742,500) immediately upon collecting his prize money.
Career Milestone
Prior to Sunday, his best result on the PGA Tour had been a runner-up finish, achieved on two separate occasions - including in his third start as a professional at the John Deere Classic in July 2024. His finest showing this season had been a tied seventh place at last month's Scottish Open.
Thorbjornsen's victory hands the PGA Tour yet another young champion, hot on the heels of 21-year-old Jackson Koivin's triumph the previous week. He also becomes the fourth player to claim the Rocket Classic as his maiden PGA Tour victory, joining Nate Lashley (2019), Cam Davis (2021), and Aldrich Potgieter (2025).
Historic Context
The last occasion on which two Americans aged 24 or under triumphed in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour was when Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau achieved the feat back in 2017 - a duo who have each gone on to claim two major titles throughout their careers.
Ultimately, Thorbjornsen held off arguably the strongest field in the tournament's history to seal the deal, and he was overjoyed. He told reporters: "I've been in that position a few times this year and didn't have the outcome I wanted. I knew how to handle it, and so I gave it my all and figured what's the worst that can happen?"
