Golf
The Memorial 2025 Preview: Denny out for revenge
The PGA Tour shifts to Dublin, Ohio, this week for one of its most prestigious non-Major stops – the 2025 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Hosted by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, the Memorial is one of the most coveted titles outside of the Majors, offering a stern challenge and is one of the most respected trophies in professional golf. With the U.S. Open on the horizon, this week provides players with a perfect tune-up under Major-like conditions.
Muirfield Village has long been considered a masterpiece of modern golf architecture. The par-72 layout stretches over 7,500 yards and demands a complete game; long accurate driving, pinpoint iron play and confident putting on fast, undulating greens. The rough is typically grown up, and the greens run slick.
Water hazards, strategic bunkering, and tiered putting surfaces make this course a true test of mental and physical control. This is no birdie-fest, as par often feels like a good score.
Matt Fitzpatrick 45/1
Our top pick is Matt Fitzpatrick, who looks set to thrive on the demanding layout of Muirfield Village. Fitzpatrick has long been one of the Tour’s most disciplined ball-strikers, and in recent weeks, his form has steadily climbed — with a T8 at the PGA Championship and a T23 at the Truist Championship showing he’s trending in the right direction.
The U.S. Open champion’s short game is one of the best on Tour, and his ability to scramble and putt under pressure makes him a natural fit for tough courses. He ranks in the top 11th on Tour in approaches from over 200 yards, combining accuracy with surprising distance. He finished T9 at this event in 2023 and T5 in 2024, proving he knows how to navigate Jack’s challenging layout.
With conditions expected to be firm and fast, Fitzpatrick’s control and patience give him a real edge — and at 45/1, he offers strong outright value.
Denny McCarthy 45/1
If you’re looking for value, Denny McCarthy could be a surprise contender this week at the same long odds. One of the purest putters on the PGA Tour, McCarthy excels on fast greens and thrives when scoring is tough. He came agonisingly close to winning this tournament in 2023, losing in a playoff to Viktor Hovland, and returns with something to prove.
McCarthy’s approach game has significantly improved over the past 12 months and is yet to miss the cut so far this season, including a T8 at the PGA Championship and T5 at the Genesis. If he brings a hot flatstick – as he so often does – he can quickly climb the leaderboard on a course where many will struggle.
At 45/1, with strong course history and a game trending upwards, McCarthy is a live outsider in this field.
