Online Reporter
THE Memorial Tournament may be younger than some of the more historic PGA Tour stops, but it has consistently delivered world-class golf and crowned some of the sport’s greatest champions — from Tom Watson and Greg Norman to Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler, not to mention tournament host Jack Nicklaus himself.
This week, a stellar field of the world’s top golfers will join Nicklaus in celebrating the 50th edition of the Memorial at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
The US$20 million signature event returns to Nicklaus’ preferred slot on the golfing calendar, directly following Memorial Day Weekend. After today’s second round, the 72-man field will be trimmed to the top 50 and ties, along with any players within 10 shots of the lead — making it one of only three signature events on the PGA Tour to feature a cut.
The most notable absentee this week is Rory McIlroy, who has opted to play next week’s RBC Canadian Open as part of his preparation for the US Open. Nevertheless, the prestige of “Jack’s tournament” remains a major draw for the game’s elite.
“I remember watching this tournament growing up in Norway, and I didn’t watch many events on TV. But I knew that this week was the Memorial Tournament. A list of great champions have won here, including Tiger, who I watched win multiple times. And of course, seeing everyone shake Mr Nicklaus’ hand on the 18th green — it’s pretty special. It’s such a unique golf course, such a cool place,” said Viktor Hovland, the 2023 champion.
As with many PGA Tour events this season, the defending champion is World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who edged out Collin Morikawa by one shot during his blistering 2024 campaign.
“People ask me a lot, ‘What’s it like defending this week?’ and I say, ‘Well, what does that do for me? Nothing.’ I have some experience on the course that can help, but at the end of the day, you start at even par. I want to be in contention on Sunday, and you definitely don’t show up too high or too low,” Scheffler said.
Other past champions in the field include Patrick Cantlay (2019, 2021), Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (2014), and England’s Justin Rose (2010). Matt Kuchar, the 2013 winner, has received a sponsor exemption, as have Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth.
They’ll all take on a par-72, 7 569-yard layout that has proven a stern test in recent years, with the winning score limited to single digits under par in two of the last three editions.
With the third major of the year fast approaching, players like Xander Schauffele are looking to fine-tune their form. Despite winning two majors last year, Schauffele has yet to crack the top five this season.
“You have to play really well. US Opens are tricky because even when you’re playing well, they can make you feel like you’re not. That’s where the mental side really comes into play,” Schauffele said. —AFP Sport/Sports Reporter
