Jack Nicklaus designed Muirfield Village in 1974 and it debuted on the PGA Tour in 1976. It is one of the premier non-major events on the Tour schedule, and this week’s Memorial field is strong as many top players are in Dublin, Ohio, to honor the Golden Bear. Here are a favorite, a contender and a long shot with a chance to win it:
The Plays
Rickie Fowler (18/1): Rickie Fowler has a tremendous relationship with Nicklaus and his wife Barbara, almost like family, and Fowler has responded with tremendous results at Nicklaus tracks. At PGA National in Florida, a Nicklaus design and home to the Honda Classic, Fowler has finished top 10 three out of the last four years, including a win in 2017. He’s also finished top 10 in four out of the last five WGC-Bridgestone events and has finished eighth and second in his last two trips to Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Gary Woodland (30/1): The Kansas Jayhawk has elevated his game quite a bit in the last couple of seasons, to the point of contending for major championships. He also plays a fade, which is how Nicklaus played and what most of his golf course designs demand.
Kevin Streelman (100/1): Streelman has an excellent recent history at the Memorial with four straight cuts made, including two top-20 finishes and one top 10 back in 2016.