The PGA Tour’s next stop is to Dublin Ohio for the Memorial Tournament; the last designated event prior to the U.S. Open in June.
This will be the 48th edition of the Memorial Tournament. Hall of fame golfer Jack Nicklaus established the Memorial Tournament in 1976, and it has been played at Muirfield Village Golf Club for all of its history.
Nicklaus won the event twice.
His first win was at the second Memorial tournament in 1977, and his second came in 1984 which was his 72nd career win and second to last win of his historic career. Nicklaus’ last win came at the 1986 Masters.
In addition to the Memotial Tournament, Muirfield Village also hosted the 1992 U.S. Amateur, 1987 Ryder Cup, 1998 Solheim Cup, and the 2013 Presidents Cup.
With the bump to designated status, the purse increased this year to $20 million. The winner will pocket $3.6 million compared to the $2.16 million that went to the 2022 champion, Billy Horschel.
The increased purse and elevated status means that the top players will be teeing it up this week in Ohio.
However one previous winner will not be in the field this week. The 2018 Champion, Bryson DeChambeau left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf and was suspended by PGA Tour and ineligible for the Memorial field.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman won the Memorial in 1990 and 1995.
Also not in the field is five time winner Tiger Woods (1999, 2000, 2001, 2009, 2012) who announced that he will miss the up coming U.S. Open while recovering from ankle surgery that caused him to also miss the PGA Championship and forced his withdrawal from the Masters.
Notables in the Field
| Scottie Scheffler | Justin Thomas | Rory McIlroy |
| Jon Rahm | Xander Schauffele | Patrick Cantlay |
| Sam Burns | Matt Fitzpatrick | Cam Young |
| Collin Morikawa | Kurt Kitayama | Hideki Matsuyama |
| Tom Kim | Keegan Bradley | Jason Day |
| Billy Horschel | Francesco Molinari | Shane Lowry |
Despite being an designated event several of the top-25 players in the Official golf Rankings are not in the field this week.
Max Homa 6, Tony Finau 12, Brooks Koepka 14, and Tommy Fleetwood 23 are in the top-25 but absent from the field for this event.
Players to Watch
Sahith Theegala
This will be Sahith’s third trip to Muirfield Village. His best finish was fifth place in 2022.
In 19 events on the PGA Tour, Sahith has 10 top-25 finishes which include seven top-10s. His best result in official events is a tie for second at the RSM Classic in November.
He won the unofficial QBE Shootout with partner Tom Hoge in December.
His most recent event was the PGA Championship finishing in a tie for 40th.
Theegala is currently ranked 21st in the FedEx Cup, and 27th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
JJ Spaun
This will be JJ’s fourth time in the field for the Memorial Tournament. In three previous event he has failed to make the weekend.
In 20 events on the PGA Tour this season, JJ has eight top-25 finishes, which include two top-10s.
The best result of the season came at the Sentry Tournament of Champions where JJ finished in a tie for fifth place.
JJ’s most recent tournament was the Charles Schwab Challenge where he finished in a tie for 63rd.
Spaun is currently ranked 61st in the FedEx Cup, and 75th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Joseph Bramlett
This will be Joseph’s second time playing at Muirfield Village, but first time competing in the Memorial Tournament.
In 2020 Bramlett played in the Workday Charity Open which replaced the John Deere Classic that was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The Workday Charity Open was contested just the one time at Muirfield village. Joseph missed the cut back at the Workday back in 2020, but is hoping for different fortunes in 2023.
So far in 2023, Joseph has entered 21 events on the PGA Tour. He has finished in the top-25 six times which includes three top-10s. His best result of 2023 came at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am where he finished in a fir for seventh.
His most recent event was the Charles Schwab Challenge resulting in a missed cut.
Bramlett is currently ranked 77th in the FedEx Cup, and 153rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Tee Times
Theegala: Thursday – 1:29 PM; Friday – 8:29 AM
Spaun: Thursday – 8:24 AM; Friday – 1:24 PM
Bramlett: Thursday – 7:29 AM; Friday – 12:29 PM
How to Watch
Thursday (6/1) & Friday (6/2): 2 – 6 PM (Golf Channel)
Saturday (6/3) & Sunday (6/4): 12:30 – 2:30 PM (Golf Channel); 2:30 – 6 PM (CBS)