The Workday Charity Open was a thrilling start to the PGA Tour’s fortnight stay at Muirfield Village, but it is time for the main event – the Memorial Tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
Last week’s warm-up gathering lacked star quality – and Justin Thomas almost took advantage of absent rivals by winning the title – but a collapse over the closing three holes cost him dear. Thomas was three shots ahead with just three holes to play, but bogeys at the 16th and the 18th allowed Collin Morikawa to sneak into a playoff.
Thomas appeared to have done enough for Workday Charity Open glory when he holed from 50 feet for birdie at the first extra hole of the playoff, but Morikawa drained a long putt of his own and eventually triumphed after Thomas’ drive at the third playoff hole got stuck directly behind a tree trunk.
Muirfield Village allowed two players to finish 19-under-par in the Workday Charity Open, but longer rough and faster greens should mean a tougher test for the Memorial.
DeChambeau Assumes Favouritism of Elite Field
The recent Rocket Mortgage Classic was won by Bryson DeChambeau and odds compilers were so impressed by that three-shot success that they have put the brash Californian to the top of their betting at 9/1*.
With 17 of the world’s top 20 players in attendance for the Memorial, DeChambeau can be extremely flattered that he has claimed top billing.
World number one Rory McIlroy is in the line-up at 12/1, along with 14/1 chance Dustin Johnson, who won the Travelers Championship last time out, and defending Memorial champion Patrick Cantlay, who is also 14/1. Jon Rahm is 20/1 after closing the Workday Charity Open with a 64 and will expect to contend in Ohio. Meanwhile, Heritage champion Webb Simpson (22/1) is also competing, and the aforementioned Thomas is seeking to avenge Sunday’s near-miss and is 10/1.
Tiger Woods is returning to the PGA Tour after an absence of five months. The 15-times Major champion has won the Memorial five times, but his last victory was eight years ago.
Success here would see him win for a record 83rd time on the PGA Tour and he is 22/1 in the outright market.
Norwegian Ace May Upset Strong American Contingent
Just below the army of world-class Americans who dominate the betting is 22/1 shot, Viktor Hovland, who will fancy his chances of contending at Muirfield Village for the second consecutive week.
Hovland took an early lead in the final round of the Workday Charity Open, before Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas overtook him and third place was a greatly encouraging Muirfield Village debut.
The Norwegian youngster has topped the strokes-gained tee-to-green stats for three consecutive weeks, underlining his status as one of the best ball-strikers on the circuit.
Hovland’s post-lockdown form figures are 23-21-11-12-3 and a second Tour title should be on the radar as soon as he finds some sparkle on the greens.
Everyone in the field will be struggling for control on the lightning-fast Memorial dancefloors, so this may be a week when his long-game quality counts for more than usual.
*All odds correct at time of writing.