🏌️ Introduction
The Memorial Tournament, one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious Signature Events, has long been associated with excellence, tradition, and the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, it consistently attracts the world’s top players. In 2024, this iconic event took place from June 3–9, featuring a colossal $20 million purse and once again paying tribute to the legacy of Jack Nicklaus through its renowned honoree tradition.
Tournament Overview
- Dates: June 3–9, 2024 10tv.com+3CBSSports.com+3Golf+3New York Post+7The Business Journals+7Memorial Tournament+7BBC+4Golf+4golfweek.usatoday.com+4
- Location: Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio — famed for its challenging layout and historical significance
- Par/Yardage: Par 72, stretching 7,571 yards Memorial Tournament+15Memorial Tournament+15Memorial Tournament+15
- Purse: $20 million, including a massive $4 million winner’s share TalkSport+6Memorial Tournament+6Golf+6
- Field: Elite contenders including Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Adam Hadwin, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, and more New York Post+15Memorial Tournament+15Golf+15
- Honoree of the Year: Golf legend Juli Inkster TalkSport+15Wikipedia+15Golf+15
A Round-by-Round Breakdown
Round 1 – June 6
- Adam Hadwin set the pace with a scorching 66 (−6), narrowly ahead of Scheffler’s 67 Memorial Tournament+7Memorial Tournament+7Memorial Tournament+7.
- Notables like Schauffele, Åberg, and Morikawa were all at −4.
Round 2 – June 7
- Scottie Scheffler rocketed to the top, firing 68 to sit at −9.
- Adam Hadwin and Viktor Hovland shared second place at −6 golfweek.usatoday.com+13Memorial Tournament+13Memorial Tournament+13Almost Average Golf+10Golf+10Wikipedia+10.
Round 3 – June 8
- Scheffler continued domination with a 71, sitting at −10 overall.
- Challengers Morikawa, Straka, and Hadwin were grouped at −6 Golf+6Memorial Tournament+6Golf+6.
Round 4 – June 9
- In a tense final round, Scheffler shot 74 (+2) but held firm to win by a single stroke over Morikawa at −8 .
- Conditions proved brutal: only six players finished under par, and the average score hovered just below 75 Memorial Tournament+1Memorial Tournament+1.
Final Leaderboard Summary
| Position | Player | Score | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottie Scheffler | 280 (−8) | $4,000,000 Wikipedia+5Memorial Tournament+5USA TODAY+5 |
| 2 | Collin Morikawa | 281 (−7) | $2,200,000 |
| 3 | Adam Hadwin | 284 (−4) | $1,400,000 |
| 4 | Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 285 (−3) | $1,000,000 |
| T5 | Matt Fitzpatrick | 286 (−2) | ~$766,667 |
| T5 | Ludvig Åberg | 286 (−2) | ~$766,667 |
| T5 | Sepp Straka | 286 (−2) | ~$766,667 |
🏆 Spotlight on the Champion: Scottie Scheffler
- Consistency & Prowess: The world No. 1 displayed dominance with round scores of 67–68–71–74, ending −8 and narrowly securing victory CBSSports.com+15Memorial Tournament+15Memorial Tournament+15.
- Mental Strength: Despite a final-day scare and just one birdie, Scheffler held his nerve and sank a clutch five-footer on 18 to win San Antonio Express-News+15Memorial Tournament+15Memorial Tournament+15.
- Victories in Context: This win marked Scheffler’s 11th PGA Tour victory, his 5th of 2024, and a historic trifecta: Players, Masters, and Memorial—only Tiger Woods has achieved this before Memorial Tournament+4Memorial Tournament+4BBC+4.
- Financial & Ranking Impact: The triumph pushed Scheffler’s season earnings over $24 million, setting a new PGA Tour single-season record CBSSports.com+2Memorial Tournament+2Memorial Tournament+2.
Tense Runner-Up Finish: Collin Morikawa
- Steady Climb: Morikawa’s steady play (68–74–68–71) earned him a close second at −7 .
- Form Preview: The strong showing followed Morikawa’s appearances in final groups at both the Masters and PGA Championship — a firm signal of his resurgence New York Post+15CBSSports.com+15Golf+15.
In Retrospect: Other Notable Performers
- Adam Hadwin: Took an early lead with a blistering 66, ultimately finishing third—his best PGA showing in months .
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout: Posted solid rounds and climbed high to finish solo fourth USA TODAY+5Memorial Tournament+5OWGR+5.
- Matt Fitzpatrick & Ludvig Åberg: Shared fifth at −2 BBC.
- Sepp Straka: Another -2 finish, but stumbled on Sunday after a strong start Golf+2Memorial Tournament+2Memorial Tournament+2.
- Viktor Hovland: Started brilliantly puis unraveled: two poor rounds on the back-nine cost his momentum .
Key Statistics & Insights
- Winner’s Share: $4 million out of the $20 million purse—twenty percent of the total Memorial Tournament+6Golf+6Golf Monthly+6.
- Scoring Conditions: Only six sub-par rounds in R4, illustrating course difficulty .
- Wealth of Stats: Scheffler led in earnings ($29.2M), FedEx Cup points, and top-10 finishes .
- World Ranking Points: Large haul—Scheffler gained ~70 OWGR points, Morikawa ~40 The Sun.
Historical Significance & Records
Triumphant Comparison
Scheffler is only the second man after Tiger Woods (2001) to win the Players, Masters, and Memorial in the same season—cementing his place among golf immortals golfweek.usatoday.com+3CBSSports.com+3BBC+3.
Career Milestones
- His 11th career PGA Tour victory.
- The Memorial win marked his 5th win of the 2024 season—a rare feat matched only in elite company Golf+2golfweek.usatoday.com+2Golf+2.
Noteworthy Moments & Human Interest
- Jack Nicklaus Moment: A dramatic handshake between Scheffler and Jack Nicklaus on the 18th green became an emotional highlight of the tournament New York Post+5Memorial Tournament+5Golf Monthly+5.
- Final-Round Tension: Scheffler’s shaky +2 round was staunchly defended under pressure Golf+4Memorial Tournament+4The Sun+4.
- Spieth’s Scare: Jordan Spieth narrowly missed hitting fans during a drive—a tense scene caught on camera People.com.
Financial Deep Dive & Wealth of Earnings
- Winner’s Prize: $4M for first, followed by $2.2M, $1.4M, $1M, etc. Golf.
- PGA Tour Records: Scheffler’s triumphed season revenue now tops $24M Almost Average Golf.
- Support Team Gains: His caddie Ted Scott took home ~$400K—10% of winnings Golf Monthly.
What’s Next: U.S. Open & Beyond
- Momentum for Pinehurst: Riding peak form, Scheffler enters the U.S. Open as a heavy favorite Memorial Tournament+1Memorial Tournament+1.
- Olympics Watch: Morikawa’s result strengthens his Olympic contention .
- Tour Storylines: As summer heats up, fans await whether Sche.
🔧 Equipment, Technology & Innovation in 2024
Modern golf is increasingly shaped by cutting-edge equipment, data analytics, and real-time strategy tools—and the 2024 Memorial Tournament was no exception.
🏌️♂️ Club Innovations
Scottie Scheffler’s setup:
- Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS – customized for low spin and tight dispersion.
- Irons: Titleist T100 – known for forgiveness and elite turf interaction.
- Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 – heavily customized for grip and alignment.
Collin Morikawa used a new set of TaylorMade P7CM irons, custom-ground to suit his flat swing path and sharp angle of attack.
Ludvig Åberg, a rising Swedish star, gained attention using a new Callaway Ai Smoke driver—fitted with AI-designed face mapping for maximized sweet spots.
📊 Data-Driven Decisions
Players now work with real-time shot-tracking and predictive analytics:
- TrackMan and ShotLink: Offered precise launch data and dispersion maps, key for windy conditions at Muirfield.
- AimPoint putting analysis: Many players (including Fitzpatrick) relied on this method for greens running over 13.5 on the Stimpmeter.
Caddies also used on-course tablets (PGA-approved) to assess live data on green firmness and fairway bounce.
🧠 Mental Training & Wearables
Multiple players now employ biometric wearables—heart rate monitors and stress tracking—during practice rounds to simulate pressure.
Scheffler reportedly used Whoop Band and daily meditation sessions to keep his performance levels steady under intense tournament pressure.
⛳ Comparing the 2024 Tournament with Memorials Past
The 2024 edition of the Memorial Tournament will likely go down as one of the most competitive and strategically demanding events in its history.
🥇 2024 vs 2023
| Feature | 2023 (Cantlay win) | 2024 (Scheffler win) |
|---|---|---|
| Winner’s Score | −9 | −8 |
| Cut Line | +3 | +2 |
| Field Strength | 11 top 20 | 17 top 20 |
| Purse | $20M | $20M |
| Drama Factor | Moderate | High (1-shot finish) |
| Final Round Score Avg | 73.9 | 74.8 |
2024 saw tougher conditions, more wind, and only six players finishing under par, the fewest in over a decade.
⛳ Best Memorials of the Past
- 2020 (Rahm) – Dominated with a 6-shot lead before COVID disqualification.
- 2001 (Tiger Woods) – Arguably the greatest Memorial win, part of his “Tiger Slam.”
- 2012 (Tiger again) – Claimed his fifth Memorial with a vintage Sunday charge.
2024’s high-pressure Sunday, elite field, and historical significance (Scheffler’s “Tiger trifecta”) place it firmly in the top 5 Memorial Tournaments ever played.
🎉 Fan Atmosphere, Tradition & On-Course Experience
The fan experience at the Memorial is unlike any other non-major. With over 130,000 attendees across the week, the event delivered electric energy at every turn.
🏟️ Stadium Vibes
- The Golden Bear Club (Hole 14): Think “mini-Waste Management Open” with a more respectful Ohio crowd. Fans chanted “U-S-A” after Morikawa’s birdie putt on Saturday.
- The Nicklaus Pavilion: VIP seating with open-air views of Holes 15–17, featuring gourmet food, craft cocktails, and big-screen displays of ShotLink data.
🎶 Off-Course Entertainment
- Daily concerts from artists like Zac Brown Band and The Revivalists.
- On-site family zones, simulators, VR golf games, and putting contests for kids.
- The “Legend Walk,” featuring bronze statues of past honorees, remained a fan favorite.
🍻 Food & Drink
- Local breweries (Land-Grant, BrewDog) had dedicated craft beer tents.
- Upscale offerings like Wagyu sliders, fresh lobster rolls, and wood-fired pizza.
- Signature cocktails like the “Nicklaus Lemonade” and “The Golden Mule” kept fans refreshed in the 85°F heat.
🎥 Broadcast Innovations, Streaming & Fan Engagement
The Memorial Tournament made major strides in 2024 to boost its digital footprint, broadcast reach, and fan interaction.
📺 Broadcast Highlights
- CBS Sports delivered full HD coverage with drone footage, mic’d players, and split-screen stats overlays.
- Jim Nantz & Trevor Immelman provided insightful commentary with live greenside reaction cams.
📲 Streaming via ESPN+ & PGA Tour Live
- 80+ hours of streaming, including:
- “Every Shot Live” for top 6 groups
- Featured holes with alternate camera angles
- Multi-language commentary options
🔄 Social Media & Digital Engagement
- PGA Tour posted real-time shot tracers on Twitter/X and Instagram Reels.
- Scheffler’s 18th-hole par putt had over 12 million views across platforms within 24 hours.
- Fans voted in real time on “Shot of the Day” via PGA Tour app.
🤳 Influencers & AR Integration
Augmented Reality (AR) filters allowed fans to “drop” 3D player avatars onto their screen or “walk” Muirfield’s back nine digitally.
Popular golf creators like ForePlay, Erik Anders Lang, and Paige Spiranac were on site documenting behind-the-scenes experiences.