The Memorial Tournament 2024

The Memorial Tournament is always one of the most exciting events on the PGA Tour schedule. Hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus at the beautiful Muirfield Village in Ohio, it's a must-watch each year. 

Nicklaus himself designed the course, making sure it's a tough but fair challenge for the top players. 

This year’s lineup is stacked. Scottie Scheffler, one of the biggest names in golf right now, is the favorite. He'll be up against some serious competition, including PGA champion Xander Schauffele and last year's Memorial winner Viktor Hovland, who’s been playing great lately.

The Memorial isn’t just about the golf; it’s also about celebrating the sport’s history and traditions. With Jack Nicklaus at the helm, the event always has a special vibe. It’s a great mix of top-notch golf and a tribute to the game’s greats.

With all these star players in the mix, this year’s tournament promises to be a thrilling watch. The Memorial Tournament never disappoints, bringing excitement and unforgettable moments every time. Without further delay, let's jump into my PGA DFS picks for this week.

 

 

 

Muirfield Village Golf & Country Club: Course Breakdown

On the outskirts of Ohio State University in Dublin, Ohio, you'll find Muirfield Village Golf Club. Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1974, it's often seen as his best work. This second-shot course, as Nicklaus prefers, offers a fair yet tough challenge for both members and pros. Named after Muirfield, Scotland, where Nicklaus won his first Open Championship in 1966, the club has been hosting the Memorial Tournament for 50 years.

Known for its pristine condition, Muirfield Village boasts a deep Hunter green color throughout the course. It’s visually stunning and incredibly challenging, with creeks, streams, thick rough, and small greens demanding precision. Players face a real test of skill here, especially after recent renovations. Post-2020 Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus modernized the course, extending it to over 7,500 yards and rebuilding all 18 greens with a cutting-edge sub-air system.

These updates made the course even tougher, ranking it as the second hardest on tour last season, including Major Championships. The extended par-5s and tricky par-3s are no longer easy birdie opportunities. Accurate driving and sharp approach shots from 150-225 yards are crucial, along with a top-notch short game for those missed greens.

Winning at Muirfield Village requires a well-rounded game: accurate tee shots, strong approaches, effective scrambling, and excellent putting, especially on Bent Grass. Recent champions have shown that a balanced game and great putting can secure victory in this demanding but exciting tournament.

 

 

 

2024 Memorial Tournament Field 

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, last year's Memorial runner-up, has been on fire in 2024, rarely finishing outside the top 10. Rory McIlroy, with five top-10s at Muirfield Village, continues his busy schedule following a fourth-place tie at the RBC Canadian Open.

Viktor Hovland aims to become the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back at the Memorial. After his third-place finish at the PGA Championship, he's ready for action. Recent PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, world No. 2, also returns after his victory at Valhalla.

Patrick Cantlay, comfortable at Muirfield with wins in 2019 and 2021, joins the field. All top 10 players in the FedExCup standings are set to compete, including 72 players and six past champions.

Billy Horschel, the 2022 winner, and Matt Kuchar, the 2013 winner, received sponsor invites. Same deal with Brandt Snedeker, Alex Noren and Auburn’s Jackson Koivun, the 2024 Division I Jack Nicklaus Award winner, makes his PGA TOUR debut at the Memorial. 

This is the seventh Signature Event on the 2024 PGA TOUR schedule, with the Travelers Championship up next.

 

 

 

PGA Stats To Know: 2024 Memorial Tournament

Top SG: Approach - Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Corey Conners - 2nd on Tour
  • Tom Hoge - 3rd on Tour
  • Xander Schauffele - 4th on Tour
  • Tony Finau - 5th on Tour

Top SG: Around the Green - Targets

  • Hideki Matsuyama - 1st on Tour
  • Scottie Scheffler - 5th on Tour
  • Justin Thomas - 6th on Tour
  • Mackenzie Hughes - 7th on Tour
  • Alex Noren - 9th on Tour

Par 4 Scoring - Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Xander Schauffele - 2nd on Tour
  • Alex Noren - 3rd on Tour
  • Andrew Putnam - 4th on Tour
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout - 6th on Tour

Best Course History

  • Patrick Cantlay - 2 Wins & 3 Top 10s (8 of 8 Cuts)
  • Viktor Hovland - 1 Win & a 3rd (5 of 5 Cuts)
  • Rory McIlory - 5 Top 10s & (8 of last 9 Cuts)
  • Collin Morikawa - 1 Win & a 2nd (3 of last 4 Cuts)
  • Xander Schauffele - 5 Top 20s (6 of his last 6 Cuts)

My Best Bets (25-53 Overall, -11.55 Units)

  • Patrick Cantlay - Top 10 (+225)
  • Sam Burns - Top 20 (+140)
  • Matthew Fitzpatrick - Top 20 (+150)
  • Justin Rose - Top 30 (+125)

One & Done Play

  • Scottie Scheffler

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: Memorial Tournament 2024

Top-Price DFS Memorial Tournament Picks

Rory McIlory ($11,100)

McIlroy had a great run in Canada last week, tying for fourth place. He’s always been solid at the Memorial, even if it’s not his absolute best event. Last year, he tied for seventh at Muirfield Village, which was his third top-10 finish there in his last seven trips. He’s got a good track record at this course, and it’s always fun to watch him play. Given his recent form, he’s definitely one to watch this week. 

Muirfield Village seems to suit him well, so don’t be surprised if he ends up near the top again. This tournament could be another highlight for him in what’s already been a great season.

Viktor Hovland ($10,200)

If you're thinking of not picking Scheffler, Hovland is your best bet. He had a few off weeks by his own high standards, but he got back with his old swing coach Joe Mayo before the PGA Championship and ended up finishing third. At Valhalla Golf Club, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus just like Muirfield Village, Hovland hit season highs in every major strokes gained category. Now, he's heading to Muirfield Village with a lot of confidence, especially since he won there last season. 

With his game back on track and a big win under his belt, Hovland is definitely someone to watch. He’s looking to build on his strong performance and could very well snag his second straight Memorial title. If he keeps playing like he did at Valhalla, there’s a good chance he’ll be right in the mix again this year.

Collin Morikawa ($9,800)

Collin Morikawa is looking strong this week. The two-time major winner has already notched a victory and a runner-up finish at Muirfield Village. Recently, he’s been on fire, with top-five finishes at both the PGA Championship and the Charles Schwab Challenge. His ball-striking is hitting peak levels, and his short game has seen major improvements. Given his current form and solid history at Muirfield Village, Morikawa is definitely a player to watch. 

It's surprising he doesn’t have a $10,000 price tag considering how well he's been performing. With the way he’s playing, he has a great shot at being a top contender this week. I'm really excited about his chances at Muirfield.

 

 

 

Mid-Price DFS Memorial Tournament Picks

Sahith Theegala ($8,800)

Theegala hitting the Memorial for the 4th time, which seems like a lot for him already. Two years ago, he tied for 5th here, so he's definitely had some good moments. Sure, he missed the cut last week in Canada, but that doesn’t bother me—everyone has an off week now and then, even the best players. Actually, this might work in his favor since fewer people will be picking him because of that. 

Before Canada, he tied for 12th at the PGA Championship, and that was with a not-so-great Sunday. Overall, he's in good shape, and I think he has a solid shot this week. Plus, it’s a great time to get behind him when others might not.

Matthew Fitzpatrick ($8,200)

How often do you find a former major winner priced almost in the 7K range? This is a huge buy-low opportunity for a player with Matt Fitzpatrick's pedigree and a perfect fit for this course. Fitzpatrick has already notched two top-10 finishes in six tries at Muirfield Village, including a third place in 2020 and a ninth last year. 

The former U.S. Open champ always steps up his game on long, tough courses with firm greens and thick rough. Plus, he’s been playing better than his recent results show. Even though he missed the cut at the PGA Championship, he still gained over a stroke in both ball-striking categories. It's a great chance to pick up a high-caliber player who’s likely to perform well here.

Sepp Straka ($7,500)

Straka's a total steal at his current price, especially considering how he's been tearing it up lately. Look at his T5 finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge - that's his third top-eight finish in his last four outings. And get this, two of those killer finishes were at big events with the PGA TOUR’s top dogs, just like what we've got at the Memorial this week. Last year, he did alright with a T16th finish, but he's definitely aiming higher this time. 

Plus, he's ranked 21st in the world right now, a solid jump of 13 spots since his last Memorial appearance. Straka's on fire lately, showing real promise. It wouldn’t be a stretch to expect some serious fireworks from him at the Memorial. His recent streak and upward trajectory in the rankings suggest he’s primed for a standout showing on the course.

 

 

 

Value-Price DFS Memorial Tournament Picks

Rickie Fowler ($7,000)

We’re starting to see good Rickie Fowler once again. He seems to be hitting his stride on tour. While the results haven't fully materialized yet, his ball-striking game is really starting to shine. Last week at Colonial, he put on a show, gaining four strokes off the tee and a whopping 3.8 strokes on approach. That's his best performance of the season by far. 

Now, he's heading back to one of his favorite spots on tour, where he's notched an impressive eight top-25 finishes, including two close runner-up finishes. It's like he's returning to a second home. With his recent improvements and track record at this course, Fowler could be on the cusp of something special. Keep an eye on him because he just might pull off some magic at the upcoming tournament.

Justin Rose ($6,900)

Rose boasts an impressive record at the Memorial, with 9 Top-15 finishes in 14 appearances, including a memorable win in 2010. It's worth noting that, at just $6,900, he's never been priced lower for an event at Muirfield Village. His recent form at the PGA Championship was also impressive, securing a strong T6th finish, his best major performance in five years. 

Analyzing the numbers, Rose ranks sixth in total strokes gained among this field's 50 rounds at Nicklaus-designed courses. Moreover, he's been consistent, making four consecutive cuts leading into this week. With his track record and performance on Nicklaus-designed courses, Rose presents a solid option, offering remarkable value at that price point.

Austin Eckroat ($6,700)

Austin Eckroat is primed for a rebound after a disappointing missed cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Despite a rough Sunday round last year at the Memorial, where he finished 30th on debut, he still managed to gain strokes across all major categories. Eckroat, who recently clinched the Cognizant Classic win, has shown significant improvement in his game over the past year. 

Known for his accuracy off the tee and prowess with long irons, his skills should align well with the challenges of Muirfield Village. With his recent success and steady progress, Eckroat presents himself as a strong contender for this tournament. This could be his chance to shine brightly and make up for any past disappointments.

Player Pool