Scottie Scheffler Aims for Memorial Tournament Defense in Ohio

DUBLIN, Ohio – The PGA TOUR returns to Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village for the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, where Scottie Scheffler will defend his title. The tournament, set for this weekend, is a key event in the 2025 PGA TOUR schedule.

Scheffler hopes to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win consecutive Memorial titles. He enters the tournament fresh off a victory at the PGA Championship and a standout season, having claimed five titles last year before the U.S. Open. His performances at the Memorial have been strong, with finishes of 1st, 3rd, and T3 in the last three years.

Collin Morikawa, last year’s runner-up, returns after a disappointing T50 finish at the PGA Championship. He has two second-place finishes this season and ranks seventh in Strokes Gained: Total. Past champion Viktor Hovland is back after a top-30 finish at the PGA Championship, indicating a turnaround in his season after a rocky spell.

Sahith Theegala will also compete after withdrawing from the Truist Championship, and Xander Schauffele seeks to maintain his solid run, aiming to build on his T8 finish at the Masters. Schauffele tied for eighth at last year’s Memorial.

Notable absences from the field include 2022 winner Billy Horschel, who continues to recover from hip surgery, and Will Zalatoris, who is also sidelined.

The Memorial Tournament has a total purse of $20 million, with the winner receiving $4 million. Jack Nicklaus, the course designer, hosts the event, which features a 36-hole cut after the first two rounds. The winner receives a three-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

Golf fans can tune in to the event, which starts Thursday, with coverage available on Golf Channel and CBS. This year’s tournament promises to challenge the field with Muirfield’s demanding layout, having produced single-digit winning scores in recent years.

As Scheffler prepares for this significant event, he reflects on his recent triumphs while remaining competitive and focused on defending his title.