The Memorial Tournament isn’t just another stop on the PGA Tour calendar. It’s the stop. It’s where golf’s biggest names duke it out at Muirfield Village, an impossibly manicured course that Jack Nicklaus designed mostly to make everyone swear at their putters. And this year? Oh, it’s juicy. With the tournament being one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events in 2025, there’s a lot at stake. Prestige, cash, and the chance to not embarrass yourself on some of golf’s nastiest greens.
This guide will break down the top contenders, historical nuggets, and maybe, just maybe, help you figure out where to lay your bets. Or at least, it’ll help you sound smart when you’re yelling at the TV.
The Lowdown on the Memorial Tournament
Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, is the sacred ground for this legendary event. Designed by the Golden Bear himself, it’s home to carpet-like fairways, greens slicker than your dad’s dance moves at weddings, and enough bunkers to ruin anyone’s day. As one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, the Memorial attracts the best players in the world. It’s basically an all-star game where someone inevitably lands in the water on 16. Golf is humbling like that.
This year’s action tees off on Thursday, June 6, 2025. Expect drama, because with this field, it’s going to be as close as your last matchplay that ended with your buddy accusing you of anchoring your putter incorrectly.
Betting Odds & Favorites
For the bettors out there, the odds this year are tasty. Don’t blow your savings, but here’s who Vegas likes:
- Scottie Scheffler (+280)
World No. 1. Defending champion. The guy’s been so hot, I’m half-wondering if his clubs are legal. But can he conquer Muirfield again? Odds say yes, but pressure does weird things to even the greats. - Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele (+1600)
Morikawa’s iron play could carve up Jack’s greens, and Xander’s… well, Xander. He’s always sniffing around the leaderboard like your dog looking for dropped snacks. - Justin Thomas (+1800)
A wild card. JT can be electric, or he can implode faster than a tent in a windstorm. Betting on him is a gamble, which makes it perfect for, you know, actual gambling. - Patrick Cantlay (+2200)
Two-time winner here. The dude might as well rent a summer home at Muirfield. If he’s in the zone, watch out.
Notable Absence
Rory McIlroy is sitting this one out, probably to rest, or maybe to avoid another run-in with the greens at Muirfield that haunt him. Either way, if you were banking on Rory, plan B is officially in effect.
Value Picks & Long Shots
This is where things get interesting. If the favorites aren’t your thing, maybe these names will tickle your fancy (and your wallet):
- Shane Lowry (40/1)
Consistent top-10 finishes this season put him firmly in the mix. Plus, he’s got an attitude tailor-made for these impossible signature events. - Tony Finau (50/1)
Mr. Reliable. If this was a contest for top-10 finishes, Finau would already be crowned. He’s been steady here in the past, and at 50/1, he’s a bet that might give you a reason to scream at your TV on Sunday. - Nick Taylor (170/1)
Say what? Five-time PGA Tour winner and 170/1? Sure, he’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened. Like the time Phil Mickelson popped up in that long-sleeve at the Masters looking like a golf ninja. - Patrick Cantlay (22/1)
Worth mentioning again because, hey, double winner here. If you’re not throwing at least a sneaky little bet at Cantlay, are you even trying?
The Tournament’s Storied History
The Memorial isn’t just another tournament. It’s Jack’s Tournament. Winning here means your name gets added to a list that includes some of golf’s best. And no, I’m not talking about me battling my slice.
- Recent Champions
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler
- 2023: Viktor Hovland
- 2022: Billy Horschel
- 2021: Patrick Cantlay
- 2020: Jon Rahm (kind of… if you remember, he was yanked due to COVID even while leading by a bajillion strokes).
- Fun Facts
- Cantlay’s two wins (2019, 2021) make him the guy to beat.
- Elite winners dominate this leaderboard. If you don’t bring your best game, those greens will chew you up and spit you out faster than your driver misses the center of the clubface.
Why Watch?
The field is stacked, the stakes are high, and betting options are wild. Whether you’re Team Scheffler, hoping for Cantlay’s three-peat magic, or just tuning in to watch someone lose it on the 18th green (because they inevitably will), this year’s Memorial Tournament promises to deliver.
Grab your beverage of choice, settle in, and enjoy the carnage that only golf can bring. Oh, and if you are betting… be smart. No one wants to hear the story of how you sold the couch to cover those Finau odds.
May the Best Player Win
The 2025 Memorial Tournament is set to be as thrilling as it is unpredictable. The course, the players, and the stakes make for the perfect recipe for drama. Whether you’re looking to place a bet, analyze swings, or love watching pros deal with the same bunkers that ruin your weekends, this tournament has something for everyone.
Now excuse me while I go look up if Scheffler’s irons are real or forged from kryptonite.
Keep your head down and your bets smarter. Cheers!
