Will Scottie Scheffler Continue His Dominance at the Memorial Tournament, Deterring Competitors from Claiming Victory?
In a departure from tradition, Rory McIlroy will forgo the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, opting to prepare for subsequent events instead. The tournament, historically one of the most challenging on the PGA TOUR, typically offers thrilling finishes and is affectionately referred to as Jack's Place in honor of its host, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
The reigning Memorial champion, Scottie Scheffler, aims to claim back-to-back victories in the face of a field deprived of World No. 2 Rory McIlroy. McIlroy's absence is due to his decision to participate in the upcoming RBC Canadian Open, U.S. Open, and Travelers Championship, rather than the Memorial Tournament. This move has stirred some controversy given the tournament's significance and Nicklaus' role as an advisor to McIlroy before his Masters triumph in April.
Despite the controversy, the Memorial Tournament remains a penultimate "signature event" on the PGA TOUR, boasting increased prize pools and smaller fields to cater to the top talents on the tour. McIlroy, along with several other golfers, has played a crucial role in creating these high-profile events.
As for the writer, a string of losses has dampened spirits after a successful streak that saw McIlroy and Justin Thomas taken out in bets. The writer's 2025 PGA TOUR bankroll stands at -9.28 units, with a planned strategy to recoup losses outlined in the article.
Below is the writer's 2025 Memorial Tournament Betting Card, complete with odds and risk amounts.
2025 Memorial Tournament Betting Card
- The odds are the best available at the time of writing.*
- Scottie Scheffler (+300) via BetMGM, risking 3.0u.
- Matthew Fitzpatrick "Winner without Scottie Scheffler" (+3500) via DraftKings, risking 0.25u.
- Matthew Fitzpatrick Top-10 (+320) via BetMGM, risking 0.5u.
- Denny McCarthy "Winner without Scottie Scheffler" (+4000) via BetMGM, risking 0.25u.
- Denny McCarthy Top-10 (+375) via BetMGM, risking 0.5u.
- Si Woo Kim Top-10 (+280) via DraftKings, risking 0.5u.
As the starting point for analysis, the writer discusses Scottie Scheffler's outstanding performance at Muirfield over the past two years, with his odds for this year's tournament considered favorable considering the reduced field size and McIlroy's absence. Additionally, the writer provides insights into Scheffler's stellar placements in tournaments, including the PGA Championship and Masters.
The writer also considers Matthew Fitzpatrick, whose exceptional talent and course history at Muirfield make him an appealing wager at a relatively low price. Furthermore, Fitzpatrick's current form and proven ability to perform well in significant tournaments add to his potential to contend in the upcoming Memorial.
Denny McCarthy and Si Woo Kim are also featured in the betting card, with each golfer showcasing strengths on long courses and the ability to perform well in high-pressure situations. The writer's One-And-Done pick for the Memorial Tournament is Scottie Scheffler, who remains untapped in the author's One-And-Done strategy and offers a significant opportunity to gain ground in the race for the 2025 Mayo Cup.
References:[1] CBSSports.com - PGA Tour: Rory McIlroy skips Memorial Tournament to prepare for U.S. Open; It appears Todd Soderholm and Reid Cherner, June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/pga-tour-rory-mcilroy-skips-memorial-tournament-to-prepare-for-usc-open/[2] ESPN.com - Rory McIlroy schedules the RBC Canadian Open in place of the Memorial Tournament; Michael Collins, June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/34784609/rory-mcilroy-schedules-rbc-canadian-open-place-memorial-tournament[3] GolfDigest.com - Rory McIlroy is not playing the Memorial this year, and it's annoying; Ryan Herrington, June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.golfdigest.com/story/rory-mcilroy-memorial-2025[4] GolfChannel.com - Rory McIlroy won't be participating in the Memorial Tournament; Will Gray, June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.golfchannel.com/news/rory-mcilroy-skipping-memorial-tournament/
- The writer, with a dwindling bankroll after consecutive losses, has outlined a strategy to recoup the losses in the forthcoming Memorial Tournament, betting on Scottie Scheffler, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Denny McCarthy, and Si Woo Kim.
- With the odds considered favorable due to the reduced field size and Rory McIlroy's absence, the writer finds Scottie Scheffler's participation in the Memorial Tournament an appealing wager, given his impressive performances at Muirfield over the past two years.
- The writer also sees potential in Matthew Fitzpatrick's talent and past Muirfield performance, viewing him as a strong contender for the tournament, particularly in the "Winner without Scottie Scheffler" and Top-10 categories.
