Jack Nicklaus joined the booth at the Memorial Tournament on Friday and listened to at least one player complain about the golf course he designed before laughing it off and saying that player (Jason Day) might be right about the hole he demurred. In other words, a very normal day on the PGA Tour.
Justin Suh leads by two at Muirfield Village after two rounds, but he's surrounded by players he probably doesn't want to be. Rory McIlroy bounced back, as did Patrick Cantlay, and Hideki Matsuyama shot the round of the day, Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler got in the mix, while Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele are all a bit further back.
In other words for Suh: Uh oh.
The Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year was awesome on Friday, though, tying for the second-best round of the day with a 6-under 66 that got him one clear of Matsuyama. We'll take a closer look at his round, his lead and what could happen over the next 36.
The leader
1. Justin Suh (-8):Suh has been playing solid golf of late with top 10s at the Honda Classic and Players Championship, plus a good showing at the PGA a few weeks ago. There are two problems for him, though. The first is the group of players who have gathered behind him, and the other is that he's done most of his damage on the greens at a clip that's unsustainable. "I don't think anyone is expecting to gain seven strokes [putting] off two days," he said.
Still, he's a good player with a tremendous pedigree who has the stuff to close out even the best in the world. He said he's learned from his previous 36-hole leads, one of which came at the Honda Classic in March when he finished T5.
"I would say the pace is a little bit faster than a Thursday, Friday round," said Suh. "Obviously, on the weekend you're playing faster because it's twosomes. But I think when you're in the moment and you're playing up in the leaderboard, things are moving faster. I think slowing it down, just kind of being aware of it, helps you just stay in the moment and play the shots that you need to play.
"As far as dealing with that, I think having a system with your caddie really helps," he continued. "We have a pretty good system already, but I think just being aware of what we're trying to accomplish on the golf course just helps."
Other contenders
2. Hideki Matsuyama (-7)
T3. David Lipsky, Patrick Cantlay (-6)
T5. Rory McIlroy, Sepp Straka, Si Woo Kim, Patrick Rodgers, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm (-4)
Horses everywhere! Fowler and Rahm came in hot at the end and joined this group late in the afternoon. Now they're both among the favorites to win the event (see below). Rahm especially is fascinating going into the final two days. He's fourth in the field from tee to green and hasn't putted it at all. Still, he has just four bogeys through two days and could take a fifth win this year into the U.S. Open at LACC in two weeks.
Rahm's last three times at Memorial include: T10 (2022), WD - led after 54 holes (2021), Winner (2020). He's going to be a problem.
Rory bounces back
Following a tough triple at the final hole of his first round 72, Rory McIlroy rebounded with a second-round 68 and now finds himself in a comfortable spot inside the top 10 going to the weekend.
"I felt good about everything that I did yesterday," said McIlroy. "I got one bad break on 18 with that ball finishing on the bank of the bunker. So I really feel like I'm one shot out of leading this golf tournament. That rolls down it into the bunker, hopefully able to hit it on the green and make a 4, and instead of standing here at 4 under, I would be at 7 under and feeling really good about everything."
Regardless, McIlroy said he feels like his swing is coming around. Interestingly, he's struck the ball better form January 1 to this week than he did in the same timeframe a year ago. And while numbers aren't everything, the story this week has been more that he's feeling it a bit on the greens at Muirfield Village. McIlroy has never won the Memorial, but he does have five top-15 finishes.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) June 2, 2023Rory McIlroy bounced back with a 68 today and is in the top-five right now at the Memorial.
McIlroy had positive strokes gained putting in each of his first 2 rounds - the first time he's done that in a PGA Tour event since last fall at the CJ Cup, which he went on to win.
Brandt Snedeker makes cut
That's not a big deal, right? Well, not normally, but Snedeker has made just one cut since the Canadian Open last year -- almost exactly 12 months ago. He had a rare surgery in December to rebuild his sternum and somehow shot even par over the first 36 holes at one of the toughest tracks on the PGA Tour. Golf is completely ridiculous.
"It's been awhile [since I felt this jittery]," said Snedeker. "I always feel that way the first tournament of the year after having like December off. I always feel that way in Hawaii. But definitely more so this week, especially with what this golf course can do to you if you're not playing well. So I'm shocked at how good my body feels, shocked at how I feel, how excited I am for the weekend. To be honest with you, I thought it was going to be kind of a grind the first couple weeks.
"But so far so good. So fingers crossed," he continued. "Hopefully this is kind of the new bar for me of how I should feel after playing golf and if it is, I'm excited about the next six, seven years out here."
Incredibly, Snedeker also beat world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler -- who has 10 top-four finishes in his last 18 starts and won at the Players and Phoenix earlier this year -- by two. Scheffler made one putt longer than 6 feet over the first two days of the tournament.
Billy Horschel's fight
Video of an emotional Horschel following a Round 1 of 84 made its way around Twitter on Thursday, but Horschel impressively gutted out a 72 in the second round. It's nothing even close to enough for last year's winner to make the cut, but it's so mentally impressive at a place that can completely demoralize you.
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) June 2, 2023Credit to an emotional Billy Horschel for taking questions after an opening 84.
We usually hear from the guys near the top of the leaderboard — this is a good reminder how demoralizing the bottom can feel. pic.twitter.com/mHhuZLljz3
2023 Memorial Tournament updated odds, picks
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
- Patrick Cantlay: +330
- Hideki Matsuyama: +450
- Jon Rahm: 6-1
- Rory McIlroy: 8-1
- Justin Suh: +850
Rahm is the play here for me. If you're intrigued by big names that are a bit longer, Fowler (18-1), Spieth (28-1) and Hovland (35-1) are all within six and all playing mostly great golf. Still, it's hard to see this trophy slipping past this top five. The best odds of the group for where he is on the leaderboard belong to Rahm, who has effectively lost to nine golfers the last three times he's played this event.
FAQs
Has Rory McIlroy ever won the Memorial Tournament? ›
Rory McIlroy has 23 PGA Tour wins, including four major championships. But the Northern Irishman has one void on his resume he would like to fill. McIlroy has never gotten that victory handshake from Jack Nicklaus at the Memorial Tournament.
Who is leading Memorial golf tournament? ›| Current Rank | Round by Round | |
|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | 1st | 72-68-70 |
| David Lipsky | 1st | 69-69-72 |
| Lee Hodges | 4th | 72-69-70 |
| Wyndham Clark | 4th | 70-71-70 |
2023 - Broadcast Times (EDT)*
Golf Channel - Replay • 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Golf Channel - Live Bonus Third Round Coverage • 12:30-2:30 p.m. CBS Sports - Live Third Round Coverage • 2:30-6 p.m.
- TV. Golf Channel: 12:30-2:30 p.m.CBS: 2:30-6 p.m.
- Radio. SiriusXM: 1-6 p.m.
- STREAM. ESPN+: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.Peacock: 12:30-2:30 p.m.Paramount+: 2:30-6 p.m.
Although there has been a lot of speculation, there is no information to confirm that Rory McIlroy is diabetic. Certainly, he uses a device to permanently monitor his blood glucose, but for reasons completely unrelated to diabetes.
Who is Rory wife? › Who is favored to win the Memorial golf tournament? ›| Name | Current Rank | Odds to Win |
|---|---|---|
| Denny McCarthy | 4th (-5) | +1600 |
| David Lipsky | 1st (-6) | +1800 |
| Collin Morikawa | 9th (-4) | +1800 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 9th (-4) | +2200 |
Curtis Strange Wins the 1988 Memorial Tournament.
Who won the 2004 Memorial Golf Tournament? ›Ernie Els Wins the 2004 Memorial Tournament.
What time is the Memorial golf tournament on TV? ›- Round starts: 7:30 a.m.
- PGA Tour Live: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. -- PGA Tour Live.
- Early TV coverage: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel.
- Live TV coverage: 2:30 - 6 p.m. on CBS. Live simulcast: 2:30 - 6 p.m. on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App.
- Radio: 1-6 p.m. -- PGA Tour Radio.
How can I watch Masters 2023? ›
Primary coverage of the Masters airs on ESPN and CBS, with ESPN and ESPN Deportes televising the first two rounds and CBS and Paramount+ showing the final two rounds. ESPN+ and Paramount+ also stream featured groups and holes all tournament long—including the notorious Amen Corner.
Is the Memorial Tournament part of the PGA Tour? ›The Memorial Tournament is a PGA Tour golf tournament founded in 1976 by Jack Nicklaus. It is played on a Nicklaus-designed course at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb north of Columbus.
What does Liv Golf stand for? ›But you may be wondering: What does the “LIV” in LIV Golf stand for anyway? Maybe to your surprise, “LIV” isn't an acronym. Instead, it's the Roman numeral for the number 54, as NBC Sports reports. The outlet explains each LIV Golf tournament will have 54 holes, 18 fewer than a typical PGA event.
What is Rory's net worth? ›Rory McIlroy Net Worth: $150 Million.
Has there ever been a diabetic NFL player? ›American football
Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos (2006–2008) and Chicago Bears (2009–2016) quarterback, type 1. Mike Echols, Tennessee Titans (2002–2004) cornerback, type 1. Kendall Simmons, Pittsburgh Steelers (2002–2008) guard, type 1. Chad Muma, Jacksonville Jaguars, linebacker, type 1.
Superstar golfer Rory McIlroy is ready to take another shot at marriage, as the 26-year-old Northern Irishman is reportedly engaged to girlfriend Erica Stoll.
Is Rory her daughter? ›Rory is the only daughter of Lorelai Gilmore, and the first-born daughter of Christopher Hayden. She was born October 8, 1984 in Hartford, Connecticut, at 4:03 am. Every year at that exact time, Lorelai wakes Rory up to tell her the story of her birth.
What is the most prestigious golf tournament to win? ›The Masters
The Masters has long cemented itself as the world's premier golf tournament, held each year at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Winning the hallowed green jacket represents the pinnacle of any golfer's career.
The Memorial has taken on elevated status this year, and the total payout reflects it. Jack Nicklaus's tournament is one of the PGA Tour's new designated events this season, and it's offering a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million to the winner. Each player who cracks the top 11 will earn more than $500,000.
Who made the cut at the Memorial Golf Tournament? ›
Hideki Matsuyama has made it to the top of the Memorial Tournament leaderboard.
Who won the Jack Nicklaus Memorial? ›| Year | Winner | R1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Patrick Cantlay | 69 |
| 2020 | Jon Rahm | 69 |
| 2019 | Patrick Cantlay | 68 |
| 2018 | Bryson DeChambeau | 69 |
Tiger Woods has the most victories in the event's history, with five wins, including three in a row from 1999-2001. Kenny Perry has won the event three times, with Nicklaus himself winning twice.
Why was the golfer disqualified from the Memorial Tournament? ›Matsuyama, who won this very title back in 2014, had made a double-bogey and a bogey as he finished the front nine at three-over-par. As he trudged to the 10th hole, he was approached by a rules official who informed him of his disqualification due to a white paint-like substance on the face of his fairway wood.
How much did Billy Horschel win in the Memorial golf tournament? ›“Just like you, big man,” Horschel said to tournament host Jack Nicklaus when it was over. His lead was up to four shots, and it was a comfortable finish. Horschel finished at 13-under 275 and won $2.16 million, the largest paycheck of his career.
Why is it called the Memorial Tournament? ›The name, Memorial Tournament, followed from Nicklaus' desire to theme the Tournament around a person or persons, living or deceased, who has contributed to the game of golf with conspicuous honor.
What is the best golf coverage? ›For golf fans with families, Hulu Live TV is probably the best option. While fuboTV is much better for hardcore sports fans, Hulu has plenty of channels to keep your spouse and kids entertained while you watch golf. Hulu Live TV also has access to Turner networks like CNN, TNT, and TBS.
What does WD mean in golf? ›WD designates that a players Handicap has been withdrawn by the Handicap Committee. The committee must withdraw the Handicap Index of a player who repeatedly fails to meet the player responsibilities under the USGA Handicap System.
Who is favored to win the Masters? ›For the 2024 edition, the three players slated as the favorites to lift The Master's trophy are Jon Rahm, the 2023 defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, who won the trophy in 2022, and Rory McIlroy, who, throughout his career, has spent over 100 weeks as the world's number one.
Has an amateur ever won the Masters? ›
An amateur has never won the Masters. But with the 36 holes remaining in the 2023 edition at Augusta National Golf Club, there's a chance. Sam Bennett, the U.S. Amateur champion, is in third place and just four shots behind leader Brooks Koepka.
What do you wear to a Memorial golf tournament? ›Appropriate casual golf wear with comfortable walking shoes (soft spikes only). Spectators should have the following items on hand: Wind breaker. Hat/visor.
What golf tournaments are not part of the PGA Tour? ›The PGA Tour does not run any of the four major championships (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open), or the Ryder Cup.
Are there cicadas at the Memorial golf Tournament? ›The back tee box on the 7th, a 563-yard par-4, is tucked into a tiny corner of the property, just close enough to a series of large oaks, and evidently, a large collection of overpoweringly loud cicadas. “We were back on that tee and they were rocking,” Patrick Reed said. “It was really loud and they were going.”
What is the cheapest way to get the Golf Channel? ›Sling TV is the cheapest option at $51 per month. You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers. You'll need to subscribe to the Sling Blue bundle ($40 per month) and the Sports Extra bundle ($11 per month) to live stream Golf Channel. You get 60 channels total.
Can I get Golf Channel for free? ›Q: Will there be a cost to download the Golf Channel App? A: No, the Golf Channel app is free to download.
How can I watch Liv Golf on Roku? ›The LIV Golf live stream will be available on The CW App, free, with no login, on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, VIZIO Smart TV, LG TV, iOS, Android, UWP/Xbox, and web. No subscriptions, no credit cards – simply install the free app on your preferred device and tune in on the days of the live events to watch.
How much does it cost a PGA golfer to enter a tournament? ›It costs a minimum of $110,000 to compete for a year on the PGA Tour—$75,000 on the Nationwide—and there are no guaranteed paydays. Each week the worst-scoring half of the field is eliminated after the second day of the four-day tournament and earns nothing.
Do PGA players have to pay for their own travel? ›Paying for all expenses related to your job comes with being an independent contractor. This means professional golfers pay for their airfare, meals, lodging, tournament entry, and more. Multiply many of those costs by two to pay for a caddie.
Do PGA players have to pay an entry fee? ›Unlike the DP World Tour—where tournaments have dished out seven-figure sums to stars to play in their events—the practice of appearance fees is prohibited by the PGA Tour. However, many events find workarounds to this rule in the form of off-the-course endorsement contracts.
What golfer has won the most Masters tournaments? ›
Jack Nicklaus, nicknamed “The Golden Bear”, won six Masters Tournaments, the highest number to date.
How many golfers have won 4 or more majors? ›Only five golfers have won all four of golf's modern majors at any time during their careers, an achievement which is often referred to as a Career Grand Slam: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
How many hole in ones does Rory McIlroy have? ›| NAME | EVENTS | HOLES IN ONE |
|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | 234 | 0 |
Sam Bennett won't take home any money, let alone the millions awarded to top finishers at the Masters, even if he wins the tournament. The 23-year-old fifth-year senior at Texas A&M remains an amateur—at least to the degree that word still has any meaning.
Who is the oldest man to play in the Masters? ›For almost four decades, Fred Couples has made Augusta his second home, collecting several tournament records at various stages of his career. And so, it seems fitting that Couples became the oldest golfer to make the cut at The Masters on Saturday, aged 63 years, six months and five days.
Who is the oldest player in the Masters? ›Fred Couples makes Masters history as the OLDEST player to make the cut at Augusta National aged 63 years, six months and five days, beating Bernhard Langer's 2020 record.
What is the best round of the Masters history? ›- Jack Nicklaus, 1986. Nicklaus: 65. Field Average: 72.042. Differential: +7.042. Considered by many the best final round in Masters history. ...
- Gay Brewer, 1967. Augusta National. Brewer: 67. Field Average: 74.2. Differential: +7.2. ...
- Jack Burke, Jr., 1956. Burke: 71. Field Average: 78.26. Differential: +7.26.
That honour belongs to Tiger Woods, who blew away the field in 1997 to win by 12 shots over Tom Kite aged just 21 years, three months and 14 days. One other player has come close to beating Woods' tender age to win the tournament since that occasion.
What is the lowest Masters score ever? ›Link Copied! The lowest score for a winner in Masters history is 20-under par. Dustin Johnson shot a final-round 68 in 2020 to break Tiger Woods' record of 18-under in the 1997 tournament.
Who is the best male golfer of all time? ›Based on the number of victories alone, Jack Nicklaus is hands down the best golfer of all time. He has a total of 73 PGA Tour wins, 10 Champions Tour trophies, and overall 115 worldwide wins. So, that's the answer for who is the best golf player in the world and of all time.
Who is better Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus? ›
Woods has 82 victories in his career and Nicklaus 72, a considerable difference, but by itself not definitive when looking at the other finishes. Nicklaus had 57 runner-up finishes in his career and 269 top-10s while Woods had 31 runner-up finishes, or 26 behind Nicklaus, and 199 top-10s, 60 less than the Golden Bear.
Who is the only male golfer to win four consecutive majors? ›Tiger Woods, 2000-01.
Has anyone ever birdied all 18 holes? ›But no one is ever going to birdie 18 holes. In the perfect game you reach the green in the fewest possible number of strokes and hole your first putt. If you can reach the green in two strokes, then the second shot should go in the cup. It will never be played.
What is the longest hole-in-one? ›The longest recorded straight drive hole-in-one is believed to be 517 yards or 473 metres, on the par-5 No. 9 hole at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver in 2002, aided by the thin air due to the high altitude. None of the five par-5 holes-in-one were achieved during a professional tournament.
What is an ostrich in golf? ›So what does an "ostrich" means? A golfer who scores an ostrich is one who played a hole in 5-under par.