The Memorial Tournament is a prestigious PGA Tour golf tournament established in 1976 by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. It takes place at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb located north of Columbus.
The event, which is held annually during the Memorial Day weekend, has a rich history at Muirfield Village GC since its inception. However, the course has undergone significant renovations in recent years, adding approximately 200 yards to its overall length. The changes also involved shifting several bunkers and constructing twelve new green complexes. As a result, the course now measures nearly 7,500 yards and has a par of 72, intended to reward accuracy off the tee and on approach shots while penalizing errant shots.
Last year’s tournament demonstrated that such a setup favors the best players in the world. Jon Rahm, the world’s top-ranked golfer at the time and defending champion, held a six-stroke lead after 54 holes before being forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test. Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa eventually finished tied at -13, with Cantlay winning in a playoff.
The redesigned Muirfield Village Golf Club presents a challenging course that requires a well-rounded skillset for success. It features four par-4 holes measuring over 470 yards and three of the four par-5 holes exceeding 560 yards. Length off the tee is advantageous, but accuracy is equally crucial due to the presence of trees and bunkers throughout the course. Approach play is critical, with an emphasis on mid-iron accuracy given the extended course length compared to the previous week’s tournament. Expect more missed greens and an increased need for scrambling to save par, as Muirfield Village ranks as the Tour’s fifth-most difficult course around the greens according to DataGolf. Additionally, the greens are known to be exceptionally fast.
The combination of the course’s new design, its historical significance, and the association with Jack Nicklaus has attracted a field of players comparable to that of a major championship, promising an exciting and highly competitive event.
Key factors for success at The Memorial Tournament include:
- Strokes Gained: Approach, with a particular focus on shots from 175 yards and beyond. Last year’s leaderboard showed that the top seven finishers excelled in this category.
- Strokes Gained: Par 5 scoring, especially on holes ranging from 550 to 600 yards.
- Course history plays a significant role, as Muirfield Village is among the top eight courses on the PGA Tour.
- Avoiding bogeys at all costs is crucial to maintain a competitive position.
- Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, with an emphasis on driving accuracy, is an important aspect to consider.
Some recommended picks for the tournament are:
- Collin Morikawa (22/1): Morikawa excels at the specific distances that will be prevalent at Muirfield Village and performs exceptionally on Nicklaus-designed courses. While his putting may be a potential weakness, he tends to improve on bentgrass greens, and his strokes gained stats on this course are impressive.
- Cameron Smith (22/1): Smith has demonstrated superior strokes gained on approach shots overall in the past six months compared to the rest of the field. His length off the tee is suitable for attacking the par-5 holes, and his skills with the putter should be showcased on the new greens. Although his course history is not outstanding, his current form makes him a contender.
- Shane Lowry (25/1): Despite Muirfield Village not being an ideal course for Lowry’s game, he ranks among the top ten in this week’s field for approach shots from 150 yards and beyond. He performed well in all aspects of the game during his sixth-place finish last year. His recent form has been excellent, with multiple top-5 and top-20 finishes in his last eight PGA events.
- Keegan Bradley (66/1): Bradley may not be predicted to outperform the world’s top-ranked players, but he is a strong contender for a top-5, top-10, or top-20 finish. While his strokes gained on approach shots may appear slightly above average, there is a significant variance within that category. He struggles inside 100 yards but excels from 150 yards and beyond. Bradley’s recent form has been impressive, with three top-5 finishes and an 8th place in his last seven starts. Notably, he has shown no strokes lost in putting over his past 100 rounds, which is a remarkable improvement for him.
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