In a unique move, golf legend Jack Nicklaus agreed to reschedule the Memorial Tournament to the week preceding the US Open, set to kick off at Pinehurst next week. This alteration is albeit likely a one-time arrangement.
The appeal of a whopping $20 million prize, an abundance of FedEx Cup points, and the prestige of being hosted by the Golden Bear himself has secured an impressive lineup for this revamped PGA Tour flagship event, including Irish talent Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Séamus Power, each striving to continue their strong performance run.
McIlroy, despite this marking his 13th appearance at Jack’s Place in Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio, has yet to claim victory at the Memorial. Lowry, on the other hand, secured his best finish, sixth place, in 2021. Power, though qualified for the US Open, has yet to leave a mark on the course, missing the cut in 2022 and a 41st finish the following year.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one, and Xander Schauffele, newly minted US PGA champion, are also entering the tournament on the back of strong form. Another aspirant, targeting his maiden win of the season while simultaneously preparing for the US Open, adds fascinating intrigue to the event.
Sporting an enriched game – three top-10 finishes from his four recent tournaments, which includes a 4th place behind Schauffele at Valhalla – Collin Morikawa is demonstrating exceptional command around the greens, consistently placing him in contention, yet still falling short of taking home the trophy.
Interestingly, Morikawa did claim a victory on the Muirfield Village course, not at the Memorial, but at the Workday Charity tournament in the Covid-affected year with an absent audience, defeating Justin Thomas in a playoff.
If successful at the Memorial, he’ll relish Jack Nicklaus’s tradition of standing by the 18th green to greet the victor: “The significance of a win is immense. Considering Jack’s contribution to the sport and what he stands for, replicating such legacy is nearly impossible. So, to be in that situation come Sunday, would be a dream come true.”
The two-time Major champion from America anticipates that the rigorous test at Muirfield Village will provide an excellent warm-up for the ensuing week. However, he is also determined to claim victory in this competition, utilising his last training round to sharpen his focus.
Presently, his approach on the golf course involves tackling each shot as if it was part of a contest with his caddie; attempting to make an ‘up-and-down’ rather than striving for precision by aiming to land it at an exact spot or trying to get it to run out by a particular yardage. While there are various ways to approach it, the outcomes may not always be perfect. It’s about being dedicated to each shot.
The long and unforgiving rough will pose a challenge this week. The golfers will encounter a variety of different lies based on their landing spots, some will be short-sided while others might find themselves in a poor lie, compelling them to run the ball out by 20 yards. This week’s competition is far from straightforward.
Viktor Hovland, the defending champion, has demonstrated a promising comeback at the USPGA, securing a third-place finish, his maiden top-10 for the season.
The Norwegian commented on the course’s difficulty, noting its indifference to past memories or good performances. He warned that it will penalise and humble players who make errant shots, making it one of the most challenging courses they play all year round. Therefore, it is crucial to bring one’s ‘A game’, irrespective of one’s status as the defending champion.
Competition details
Prize money: €18.4 million (€3.7 million for the winner)
Location: Dublin, Ohio
Muirfield Village, also fondly referred to as “Jack’s Place,” is a 7,569 yard, par 72 course, crafted by golf icon Jack Nicklaus alongside Desmond Muirhead. Nicklaus owns the course and also happens to be the host of the tournament. The name “Muirfield Village” was spurred by Nicklaus’s victory in Muirfield, Scotland, where he bagged the first of his three Claret Jugs, hence the tribute. Notably, since the past year, the course experienced a design modification, particularly on the par-3, 16th hole as a response to only 21 birdies made in the previous tournament. The alterations made by Nicklaus shifted the tee box 30 yards towards the right of the players, making the pond less obstructive, and also substituting the bunker at the front of the green with a run-off slope.
This PGA Tour, one of the headline events, doesn’t have a shortage of buzz, especially with the recent champion of the US PGA, Xander Schauffele, rejoining for the first time since claiming the Wannamaker Trophy. Other participants include world number one Scottie Scheffler, world number three Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Viktor Hovland.
Scottie Scheffler confessed his dream of playing in this tournament and approaching it as a reality stood as a dream come true. A victory in this tournament and the opportunity to shake Nicklaus’s hand is something he highly anticipates due to the historic connection the tournament holds with Nicklaus.
Regarding the Irish representatives in the PGA Tour, Shane Lowry is set to compete with Matt Fitzpatrick (1.55 pm Irish Time), while Séamus Power teams up against Corey Conners (5.45 pm Irish Time), and Rory McIlroy tackles Justin Thomas (6.20 pm Irish Time).
Leading up to the upcoming golf tournament, Scheffler, who has scored 2-8-1-1-2-1-1 in his previous seven tours, is the expected frontrunner with odds standing at 7-2. Rory McIlroy, with odds at 15-2, is considered second favourite. The reigning champion, Hovland, who sits third in the PGA, comes back in remarkable form with a 16-1 chance. Patrick Cantlay, a track specialist, appears to be reasonably valued at 25-1. Bettors may want to consider Matt Fitzpatrick as a potential each-way bet at 55-1. The tournament can be watched on Sky Sports Golf starting at 5pm.