In Dublin, Ohio, during the Memorial Tournament, Nick Taylor showcased exemplary golfing skills that were essential on a challenging day. Despite the rain making conditions tough, Taylor put forth an impressive performance, managing birdie opportunities on nearly every hole and skillfully avoiding any bogeys. His score of 4-under 68 secured him a position at the top alongside Ben Griffin.
Taylor, accustomed to harsh weather from his college days as a Washington Huskie, remarkably streamlined his play. Reflecting on his round, he expressed, “It was a clean card, which was not necessarily what I expected,” but he appreciated the simplicity in his gameplay.
Griffin found a stroke of luck when the rain eased, leaving Muirfield Village softer. His conservative play resulted in 16 pars, a birdie, and a bogey, culminating in a score of 7-under 137, tying with Taylor. Just two shots shy was Akshay Bhatia with a 69, trailed by the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, although struggling with some close birdie chances, still managed a respectable round. Missing a trio of chances within ten feet and hitting a bogey didn’t stop him from maintaining a close distance behind the leaders. Reflecting on his performance, Scheffler stated, “A lot of good ball striking on the front nine to get me a good score there.”
This event recorded the highest 36-hole score to lead since 2012. The persistent rain added complexity to what was already a rigorous course, providing an early test akin to the conditions players anticipated at the upcoming U.S. Open.
Taylor emphasized the challenges imposed by the rough, noting it was “almost second-to-none, at least for a ‘regular’ tour event,” and stressing the importance of hitting the fairway. He demonstrated that consistency combined with strategic play was key, a strategy shared by others like Sam Burns, who shot an impressive 65 in harsher weather conditions.
The excitement extended to the cut line, with this player-hosted signature event, in this case overseen by Jack Nicklaus, cutting to the top 50 and ties by 36 holes. The cut at 5-over 149 notably included Hideki Matsuyama, who had a last-minute birdie on the 17th and an impressive recovery on the 18th to make it to the weekend.
Jordan Spieth also added drama, finding himself on the fringes of the course, yet managing an incredible save on the 11th. After initially contemplating hitting from the water, he opted for a penalty drop, which proved strategic as he still reached the green.
Spieth’s round included birdies on three of the last four holes, finishing with a 69 and placing him just four strokes behind the lead. Among the few who remained under par were Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, both overcoming challenges posed by the demanding course.