The Memorial Tournament, established by Jack Nicklaus in 1976, is a PGA Tour golf tournament held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Taking place on Memorial Day weekend, this prestigious event has been hosted at Muirfield Village GC since its inception. However, the course has recently undergone significant renovations, including an increase in distance, adjustments to bunkers, and the creation of new green complexes. These changes have resulted in a challenging nearly 7,500-yard, par-72 course that rewards accuracy in drives and approaches while penalizing wayward shots.
In the previous year’s tournament, the redesigned Muirfield Village proved to be a test for the best players. World number one and defending champion Jon Rahm held a commanding six-stroke lead after 54 holes but was forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test. Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa finished tied at -13, with Cantlay eventually winning in a playoff.
The revamped Muirfield Village requires a well-rounded skillset for success. The course features four par-4 holes over 470 yards and three of the four par-5 holes over 560 yards. While length off the tee is advantageous, accuracy becomes equally crucial due to the presence of trees and bunkers throughout the course. Approach play plays a critical role, particularly with the added length compared to the previous week’s tournament. This leads to more missed greens and an increased need for scrambling to save par. Muirfield Village ranks as the Tour’s fifth-hardest course around the greens, and the greens themselves are known for their fast pace. The combination of the redesigned course, its historical significance, and the association with Jack Nicklaus attracts a field of players of near major championship caliber, creating one of the most challenging and exciting tournaments of the year.
Key factors for success at The Memorial Tournament include:
- Strokes Gained: Approach, with a 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, particularly on holes ranging from 550 to 600 yards.
- Course history is crucial, as Muirfield Village ranks among the top eight courses on the PGA Tour.
- Avoiding bogeys at all costs is essential 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 has a strong record on Nicklaus-designed courses. While his putting may be a concern, he performs better on bentgrass greens and has impressive strokes gained stats on this course.
- Cameron Smith (22/1): Smith leads the field in strokes gained on approach shots overall in the past six months by a significant margin. He has the length to take advantage of the par-5 holes and is expected to showcase his putting skills on the new greens. While his course history is not outstanding, his current form makes him a contender.
- Shane Lowry (25/1): Although Muirfield Village may not seem like a friendly course for Lowry, he ranks among the top ten in this week’s field for approaches from 150 yards and beyond. He excelled 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): While it may be unlikely for Bradley to outlast the world’s top-ranked players, he is a strong candidate for a top-5, top-10, or top-20 finish. His strokes gained on approach shots may appear somewhat above average, but there is a significant variation within that category. His 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 notable improvement for him.
In summary, The Memorial Tournament promises to be a highly competitive event, attracting top players to the challenging Muirfield Village Golf Club. With a focus on accuracy, approach shots, and strong course history, the contenders will strive to avoid mistakes and excel in key aspects of the game to secure victory.