The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday
Overview
Dates: June 4, 2026 to June 7, 2026
Location: Dublin, Ohio
Course: Muirfield Village Country Club
Course Par: 72
Course Length: 7569
Prize Purse: $20000000
Last weeks review:
What began with real promise turned into a frustrating week. By Friday morning, Rickie Fowler, Harry Hall, and Tony Finau all looked poised to surge up the leaderboard — only for the back nine to deliver a collective gut punch. Of our six selections, five collapsed coming home, posting an average score of 40 on the inward half.
That left AJ Ewart, our rank outsider at +20000, to carry the flag into the weekend. His brilliant 63, highlighted by a hole‑in‑one, was one of the rounds of the tournament. Unfortunately, the momentum didn’t carry through, and a one‑over weekend halted what could have been a remarkable long‑shot story.
Preview
The PGA TOUR returns to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, for one of its crown‑jewel non‑majors: the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. Jack Nicklaus’ signature design has long been viewed as a major‑calibre examination, and the 2026 edition promises another week where only the most complete players rise to the top.
The Memorial remains one of the TOUR’s premier events, anchored by a $20 million purse, making it one of the richest tournaments outside the majors. The champion walks away with $4 million, 600 FedExCup points, and a three‑year TOUR exemption — rewards that ensure a world‑class field every year.
Course Characteristics — Muirfield Village Golf Club
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,569 yards
Style: Modern parkland with unmistakable major‑championship DNA
Muirfield Village is defined by:
Wide but visually tightening fairways
Thick, punishing rough
Large, multi‑tiered greens that repel anything imprecise
Strategic bunkering that forces players into specific angles
Water hazards guarding several key approach shots
Nicklaus’ continual refinements ensure the course remains one of the TOUR’s most demanding tests.
Grass Types
Fairways: Bentgrass
Greens: Pure Bentgrass, typically rolling at 13+ on the Stimpmeter by the weekend
Fast, firm, and unforgiving — exactly as Nicklaus intends.
Typical Weather Conditions
Early June in Ohio usually brings:
Temperatures: 75–85°F
Soft early‑week conditions often transition into fiery, fast greens by Sunday, creating a dramatic scoring shift and rewarding those who adapt quickly.
Previous Winners
Muirfield Village consistently crowns elite ball‑strikers:
2025 — Viktor Hovland
2024 — Scottie Scheffler
2023 — Viktor Hovland
2022 — Billy Horschel
2021 — Patrick Cantlay
2020 — Jon Rahm / Patrick Cantlay
2019 — Patrick Cantlay
2018 — Bryson DeChambeau
What It Takes to Perform Well at Muirfield Village
Elite Approach Play
Winners consistently rank top‑5 in:
Strokes Gained: Approach
Proximity from 150–200 yards
Nicklaus rewards towering, soft‑landing iron shots — and punishes anything less.
Precision Off the Tee
Scrambling on well protected firm greens
Bentgrass Putting
The greens are lightning‑fast and brutally contoured.
Bentgrass specialists gain a meaningful edge.
Major‑Championship Temperament
Muirfield Village plays like a major.
Patience, discipline, and emotional control are essential.
Expect:
A winning score around −8 to −12
A leaderboard dominated by elite ball‑strikers
A Sunday decided by precision, not power
The Memorial remains a week where the TOUR’s best separate themselves from the merely very good — exactly as Jack Nicklaus intended.