Life has been an absolute whirlwind for me personally the last two weeks. Within the last two weeks, my parents moved out of the house that raised me, my wife’s car bit the dust, our AC farted out during the hottest week of the year and our lawnmower was in need of a repair. During that time, I was unable to write these Weekly Previews and not able to play a lot of golf so lets hope the remainder of this summer goes smoothly for both my golf game and you, the reader. We are going back to Murfield Village for the Memorial Tournament and from all reports, it seems the course is great condition given it hosted the Workday Charity Open last week. Our hats are off to you greens crew! So let’s dive into this weeks Memorial.
The Tournament:
The Memorial was founded in 1976 and by the Golden Bear himself. Ever since then, Jack has been hosting this event, bringing the PGA Tour to central Ohio. This event is one of five invitational events recognized by the PGA Tour and is iconically known for the legendary milkshakes you can get in the club house. Tom Lehman has the lowest tournament score recorded (-20) and the previous 5 winners are as follows; Patrick Cantlay, Bryson, Dufner, William McGirt and David Lingmerth.
The Course:
Murfield Golf Village was started in 1974 and designed by the Golden Bear himself. Located in Dublin, Ohio, Nicklaus wanted to design an elite golf course with the intention of hosting a tournament around his old stomping grounds, Columbus, Ohio. The course tips out at 7,392 yards and is a Par 72 (76.9/153).
The Field:
Patrick Cantlay is back to defend his title at the Memorial where last year he put on a short game and ball striking clinic. Speaking of a ball sticking Clinic, did anyone see Colin Morikawa last week? The dude looks like a robot out there with the way that he hits the ball. Given last weeks success and the Memorial being at the same course, it should be no shocker that Morikawa is 2nd in this weeks PGA Tour power ranking. The only person the be ranked higher then him? If you guessed Bryson, you would be correct. It turns out Hitting 350 yard drives straight translates everywhere, even at the demanding Murfield Village. Also featured in this power ranking is Webb Simpson and World Number 1 Rory McIlroy who could lose that title to Simpson this week if Webb wins and Rory finishes outside of the top 15. Sadly we have also made it this far into the post and not mentioned the return on Tiger, the five time winner at the Memorial. Tiger Woods will be making his post Covid19 debut this weekend which I am sure will be weird for him. He hasn’t played in a long time and I bet he can’t even remember the last time he played in front of no fans.
My personal pick is Rory McIlroy. It isn’t a sexy pick but this guy is rock solid week in and week out and I feel that he is due for one of his “elite Rory performances”. My under the radar pick is Matthew Wolff. I just have a gut feeling about this combustible guys this week!
A Good Walk Spoiled 