Round 1 Underway at Muirfield Village
The 2026 Memorial Tournament presented by Workday teed off Thursday morning at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler aiming to become the first golfer in 15 years to three-peat a single PGA Tour event. The $20 million Signature Event, which serves as the final major tune-up before the U.S. Open, features a loaded field including Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, and newly-minted PGA champion Aaron Rai.
Scheffler, who has won the Memorial in each of the last two years, enters as the +310 betting favorite according to CBS Sports. The two-time defending champion is paired with Rai for the opening round, with tee time set for 1:35 p.m. ET. McIlroy, who has never won the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event despite 30 PGA Tour victories, tees off alongside Justin Thomas at 10:25 a.m. ET.
Golf Channel began its television coverage at 2 p.m. ET, while PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ offered exclusive early streaming starting at 7:45 a.m. ET. CBS will take over weekend coverage on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament carries a $4 million winner's share from the $20 million purse.
Key Pairings and Odds
| Player | Odds | Notable Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +310 | Aaron Rai (1:35 p.m.) |
| Rory McIlroy | +1000 | Justin Thomas (10:25 a.m.) |
| Ludvig Aberg | +1400 | Xander Schauffele (1:25 p.m.) |
| Cameron Young | +1600 | Tommy Fleetwood (10:10 a.m.) |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +2000 | Russell Henley (1:15 p.m.) |
The Stakes: History and Redemption
Scheffler's pursuit of a third consecutive Memorial title places him in rare company. Steve Stricker was the last player to three-peat a PGA Tour event, accomplishing the feat at the John Deere Classic in 2011. A win this week would also mark Scheffler's first victory since January's American Express, despite seven top-five finishes in 11 starts this season.
For McIlroy, the Memorial represents another opportunity to conquer one of the few marquee events missing from his resume. The Northern Irishman has finished runner-up at Muirfield Village twice but has yet to hoist the trophy. Coming off a seventh-place finish at the PGA Championship, McIlroy is looking to build momentum ahead of the U.S. Open.
Aaron Rai enters as one of the week's biggest storylines after his breakthrough win at the PGA Championship at Aronimink. The Englishman makes his first start since that triumph, and many eyes will be on how he handles the heightened expectations.
The Muirfield Village Challenge
Muirfield Village, a Jack Nicklaus design, measures 7,569 yards and plays as a par-72. The course demands precision off the tee and rewards strong iron play—two areas where Scheffler has excelled during his recent dominance. The rough is expected to be penal, and firm greens could make scoring difficult, especially as the tournament progresses.
A SportsLine model that has correctly predicted 17 majors—including the 2026 Masters—simulated the tournament 10,000 times and produced several surprising projections. Among them: the model is fading Cameron Young (+1600), despite the fact that only two golfers have lower odds. Young has struggled with consistency this season, and the model suggests his ball-striking metrics may not hold up under Muirfield's demanding conditions.
Broader Implications and the PGA Tour Landscape
The Memorial Tournament is the penultimate Signature Event on the PGA Tour calendar, carrying significant FedEx Cup points and serving as a critical tune-up for the U.S. Open in two weeks. For players still seeking to solidify their standing for the playoffs, a strong finish in Ohio could provide valuable momentum.
Scheffler's dominance has reshaped expectations around the game. A three-peat would further cement his status as the defining player of this era, while a victory for McIlroy would silence critics who question his ability to close in non-major events. The emergence of young stars like Ludvig Aberg and the sudden rise of Aaron Rai also suggest a changing of the guard that adds intrigue to every tournament.
Off the course, the Memorial continues to thrive as a fan destination. Near-sellout crowds are expected throughout the weekend, and the tournament's charitable contributions—which have exceeded $50 million since inception—underscore its role in the Columbus community.
As round one unfolds, all eyes remain on whether Scheffler can continue his Muirfield magic or if one of the many challengers will finally dethrone the king of Ohio.
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