The Memorial Tournament returns to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, from June 4 through June 7 as one of the premier events on the PGA Tour schedule. This signature event features a limited field of 72 players, a $20 million purse, and a demanding course that has long rewarded elite ball-strikers. With the U.S. Open just one week away, many of the game’s biggest names arrive looking to sharpen their form at one of the toughest non-major tests in golf. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler enters seeking a third consecutive Memorial title, while Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and other elite golfers headline a field loaded with talent.
2026 The Memorial Tournament Prediction
- Pick: JJ Spaun to Win the Tournament at +4300
- Confidence: 4.5 out of 5
Few courses on the PGA Tour fit a player’s skill set as well as Muirfield Village fits Scottie Scheffler. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course places a premium on tee-to-green excellence, precise iron play, and patience around difficult greens. Those are areas where Scheffler remains the benchmark on tour. He has won the last two editions of this event and enters the week as the clear betting favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The biggest concern for bettors backing Scheffler is the relatively short number in a loaded field. Rory McIlroy offers obvious upside, while Cameron Young and Ludvig Aberg possess the length and ball-striking ability to contend. But my pick is Spaun, who comes into this tournament at much longer odds at +4300.
Spaun nearly won last week at the Charles Schwab Challenge, contending deep into Sunday and ultimately finishing two shots off the lead. His total shots gained numbers this season of +1.63 put him in the top 10 in this week’s field, though his price is outside of the top 10 by some margin. That makes him a decent value this week, and one that I’ll play.
A projected winning score in the 11-under to 13-under range appears reasonable given the course setup and field strength. Scheffler’s track record on demanding venues gives him the edge over the rest of the field, making him the strongest outright selection despite the shorter odds. But from a value standpoint, Spaun might be the best on the board this week.
Betting Odds
- Scottie Scheffler +265
- Rory McIlroy +870
- Cameron Young +1275
- Xander Schauffele +1700
- Matt Fitzpatrick +2000
- Ludvig Aberg +2000
- Si Woo Kim +2200
- Patrick Cantlay +2500
- Tommy Fleetwood +2600
- Russell Henley +2700
Scheffler sits comfortably atop the board and deserves that position after winning the last two Memorial titles. McIlroy remains the most dangerous challenger thanks to his power and ability to dominate long courses, although his Memorial record has not matched his success elsewhere. Cameron Young has become a popular betting choice because of his length and improved all-around game, while Schauffele continues to offer one of the highest floors in elite events.
Among players outside those with the shortest odds, Patrick Cantlay stands out alongside Spaun. A two-time Memorial champion, Cantlay has repeatedly shown an ability to manage Muirfield Village’s demanding conditions. Tommy Fleetwood also deserves consideration after producing several strong performances this season, while Hideki Matsuyama at +5100 offers intriguing value due to his excellent iron play and previous success on difficult layouts.
The Memorial Tournament Parlay
- Scottie Scheffler Top 5 Finish: -110
- Matt Fitzpatrick Top 10 Finish: +148
- Jordan Spieth Top 20 Finish: +118
- Parlay Odds: +850
This parlay balances proven course history with current form. Scheffler has been remarkably consistent at Muirfield Village and has finished near the top of the leaderboard almost every time he has teed it up here in recent years. Asking him to finish inside the top five is considerably safer than relying on an outright victory while still providing a strong foundation for the ticket.
Fitzpatrick has developed into one of the most complete players on tour and arrives with excellent recent results. His strengths around the greens and with approach shots fit the demands of this venue. Spieth rounds out the card as a top-20 selection. While he has not consistently contended for victories this season, he has repeatedly found his way into solid finishing positions. Combining those three legs creates an attractive risk-reward balance for bettors looking to attack the tournament with a same-game parlay.
The Memorial Tournament Course Info
- Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club
- Location: Dublin, Ohio
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
- Par: 72
- Yardage: 7,569 yards
- Field Size: 72 players
- Purse: $20 million
- Winner’s Share: $4 million
- Cut: Top 50 and ties after 36 holes
Muirfield Village remains one of the most demanding stops on the PGA Tour. Recent renovations added length, repositioned bunkers, and increased the penalty for inaccurate drives. Thick rough and strategically placed hazards force players to value precision over aggression. The greens are firm, fast, and difficult to read, placing additional pressure on approach play.
Historically, the course rewards elite tee-to-green performers. Recent champions include Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay, all players known for strong ball-striking and quality long-game statistics. With a strong field assembled and challenging conditions expected, another top-tier player is likely to lift the trophy on Sunday.


