via Getty
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 11: Jack Nicklaus of the United States reacts during the Celebration of Champions prior to The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 11, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Tom Shaw/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
via Getty
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 11: Jack Nicklaus of the United States reacts during the Celebration of Champions prior to The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 11, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Tom Shaw/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Founded by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus in 1976, the Memorial Tournament has become an annual phenomenon on the PGA Tour. This signature event is back again at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, from June 6th–9th with a $20 million purse. Only days ahead of the third major of the season, the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2, top pros will be looking forward to getting in a winning mentality.
But is there a cut that would distinguish the talented individuals from the world’s best after two rounds at the Muirfield Village Golf Club? Well, yes! The format of the tournament is like any other standard PGA Tour event. The golfers will play in the usual stroke play format spanning over 72 holes, and there will be a standard cut after 36 holes.
The Memorial Tournament is one of the five events on the Tour with Invitational status. The greens of Muirfield Village Golf Club, designed by the Golden Bear himself are a par 72 course. It stretches about 7,352 yards [about 6723 meters] and exhibits 71 bunkers in total. It also portrays “water in play on as many as 11 holes.” according to Today’s Golfer.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jun 2, 2023; Dublin, Ohio, USA; Denny McCarthy plays his shot from the ninth fairway during the second round of the Memorial Tournament golf tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Unlike the other PGA Tour events, Nicklaus’s Memorial Tournament has a far smaller field, with only 120 participants on the course. And only 65 players can go beyond making the cut. About a decade ago, in 2014, this signature event also decided to increase the exemption year from the PGA Tour by one year more than usual. Hence, the Memorial Tournament presents its winner with a three-year exemption from the PGA Tour, much like the Tour Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the World Golf Championships.
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Although the Memorial Tournament is set only days before the US Open, as many as eight of the world’s top 10 golfers can be witnessed on the green. The list includes anticipated golfers like Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler.
Is there a play-off format too?
Although there is no official statement about the distinct playoff format that has been released for the Memorial Tournament this year, one can estimate from past events that there will certainly be one this time as well if the scores tie at the end. The debut tournament was concluded with Roger Maltbie defeating Hale Irwin in a four-hole aggregate playoff.
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The following years have witnessed several sudden-death playoffs as well. Jack Nicklaus won against Andy Bean in a sudden-death playoff in 1984. Hence, it can be presumed that its implementation will continue again this year. As per the records, the last decade has seen six playoffs to decide the winners of the seasons. This includes the reigning champion, Viktor Hovland‘s tussle against Denny McCarthy last season.
Who do you think will win the event just a week before the Pinehurst showdown? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
