Photo by: Matthew Mitchell
Ashton McCulloch Earns Sponsor Exemption to Play in Rocket Classic
5/12/2025 11:46:00 AM | Men's Golf
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State senior men's golfer Ashton McCulloch received a sponsor exemption to compete in the 2025 Rocket Classic.
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.
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.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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