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Rankings: the Memorial Tournament
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June 01, 2015
By Rob Bolton , PGATOUR.COM
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Bill Haas has a pair of solid finishes in his last two trips to Muirfield Village. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Leave it to Jack Nicklaus to limit the only modifications since last year's Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide to the hardest hole at Muirfield Village Golf Club, the par-4 18th. OK, while true, that's a little misleading. Indeed, the par-4 punisher, er, finisher has an entirely new bunker complex in the landing area right of the fairway for the 40th edition of Nicklaus' hometown event. What was a cluster of nine bunkers is now three, and they have new shape. The decision was made in part due to the drainage problem evidenced at the 2013 Presidents Cup, but it was also motivated by the new tee that extended the hole 40 yards on the scorecard. Six of the old bunkers saw zero action throughout last year's Memorial.
The new bunkers come into play 275 yards off the tee on the 484-yard hole that averaged 4.338 last year. Not dissimilar to how Tom Weiskopf redesigned the 18th hole at TPC Scottsdale in advance of this year's Waste Management Phoenix Open, the carry over the last grain of sand on this week's closer is about 350 yards.
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Muirfield Village averaged -0.102 strokes to par last year, its lowest split in seven years. What's more, it was the hardest par 72 in a non-major in the previous two seasons. Yet, there wasn't anything specific that yielded the low scores. Expectations for distance off the tee, accuracy and precision on approach, scrambling and putting were met. The 7,392-yard test checked all of the same boxes it normally does. The weather cooperated, too. It was just a case of a strong talent pool taking advantage of somewhat soft conditions (thanks to rain early in the week) and little wind.
As you'd expect from the champion given those factors, Hideki Matsuyama led the field in both strokes gained: tee-to-green and proximity to the hole. What's surprising is that he ranked T34 in par-5 scoring, which is usually a prerequisite for success in this tournament. He was also the first since Roger Maltbie won the inaugural edition in 1976 to emerge victorious in his first appearance.
After a cold front moves through early this week, seasonable temperatures in the lower 80s are expected. However, rain and the potential for boomers cannot be ruled out throughout. Wind may develop into a factor, but there aren't any major concerns early.
POWER RANKINGS: THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 1 Jordan Spieth T19 here last year. FedExCup leader also first in adjusted scoring and par-4 scoring. Fifth in one-putt percentage and third in three-putt avoidance.
2 Hideki Matsuyama The defending champion has seven top 10s and another five top 25s this season. Ninth in GIR, 10th in scrambling, third in bogey avoidance.
The defending champion has seven top 10s and another five top 25s this season. Ninth in GIR, 10th in scrambling, third in bogey avoidance.
3 Kevin Na En route to last year's P2, ranked fourth in scrambling, third in par-4 scoring and T2 in par-5 scoring. Seven straight top 20s in stroke-play starts.
En route to last year's P2, ranked fourth in scrambling, third in par-4 scoring and T2 in par-5 scoring. Seven straight top 20s in stroke-play starts.
4 Brooks Koepka First-timer, but he was also making his debut at the WM Phoenix Open where he won. T7 in par-5 scoring; seventh in adjusted scoring.
First-timer, but he was also making his debut at the WM Phoenix Open where he won. T7 in par-5 scoring; seventh in adjusted scoring.
5 Bill Haas After seven tries sans a top 25, connected top 10s here in 2013 and 2014. T4 at THE PLAYERS four weeks ago. Inside top 25 in scrambling and par-5 scoring.
After seven tries sans a top 25, connected top 10s here in 2013 and 2014. T4 at THE PLAYERS four weeks ago. Inside top 25 in scrambling and par-5 scoring.
6 Dustin Johnson Struggled avoiding big numbers at Muirfield Village but has three top 20s in last six trips. Shot 62 in Nelson third round. Lighting up the stat sheets.
Struggled avoiding big numbers at Muirfield Village but has three top 20s in last six trips. Shot 62 in Nelson third round. Lighting up the stat sheets.
7 Justin Rose Electric record at Muirfield Village with a win (2010), a T2 (2008) and another four top 15s, but MCs in three of last six visits. Recent winner in NOLA.
Electric record at Muirfield Village with a win (2010), a T2 (2008) and another four top 15s, but MCs in three of last six visits. Recent winner in NOLA.
8 Matt Kuchar The 2013 champ has seven consecutive top 15s at Muirfield Village. Sits 21st in adjusted scoring, T3 in par-4 scoring and T11 in par-5 scoring.
The 2013 champ has seven consecutive top 15s at Muirfield Village. Sits 21st in adjusted scoring, T3 in par-4 scoring and T11 in par-5 scoring.
9 Rickie Fowler First start in the U.S. since historic win at TPC Sawgrass. T30 in Ireland last week. Sixth start here; solo second in 2010. Ranks T16 in par-5 scoring.
First start in the U.S. since historic win at TPC Sawgrass. T30 in Ireland last week. Sixth start here; solo second in 2010. Ranks T16 in par-5 scoring.
10 Chris Kirk Enjoyed a week off after Colonial win, which trailed a T13 at THE PLAYERS. Currently T22 in par-5 scoring and 43rd in scrambling. T4 here last year.
Enjoyed a week off after Colonial win, which trailed a T13 at THE PLAYERS. Currently T22 in par-5 scoring and 43rd in scrambling. T4 here last year.
11 Ben Martin Second appearance. Ranks 13th in GIR, T27 in proximity and 38th in adjusted scoring. Top 10s in two of last three starts (T10, Colonial).
Second appearance. Ranks 13th in GIR, T27 in proximity and 38th in adjusted scoring. Top 10s in two of last three starts (T10, Colonial).
12 Kevin Kisner With improved ball-striking catching up with tremendous touch around greens (which matters this week), it's no wonder he has two P2 and a T5 recently.
With improved ball-striking catching up with tremendous touch around greens (which matters this week), it's no wonder he has two P2 and a T5 recently.
13 Russell Henley Top 25s in last two starts and four in his last six. Chased T6 in his debut here in 2013 with a missed cut last year. T10 in strokes gained: putting.
Top 25s in last two starts and four in his last six. Chased T6 in his debut here in 2013 with a missed cut last year. T10 in strokes gained: putting.
14 Jim Furyk Twentieth appearance. Top 25s in five of last six. Winner in 2002; second on two occasions. Ranks 27th in GIR and second in proximity to the hole.
Twentieth appearance. Top 25s in five of last six. Winner in 2002; second on two occasions. Ranks 27th in GIR and second in proximity to the hole.
15 Ryan Moore Tenth straight appearance. Horse for a course, so it comes at a good time as he's been scuffling. Top 25s in four of last five editions of the Memorial.
Tenth straight appearance. Horse for a course, so it comes at a good time as he's been scuffling. Top 25s in four of last five editions of the Memorial.
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T19 here last year. FedExCup leader also first in adjusted scoring and par-4 scoring. Fifth in one-putt percentage and third in three-putt avoidance.