The Memorial Tournament 2026: DFS and Betting Preview

June 3, 2026

Russell Henley put on one of the best final three hole stretches to force a playoff and win over Eric Cole. Finishing with four straight birdies including the playoff hole and keeping the theme of the PGA Season with drama filled Sundays.

Tournament Overview

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026 at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club. It features one of the strongest fields of the year, with Scottie Scheffler eyeing a rare three-peat after dominating wins in 2024 and 2025. The event this year is a NO CUT Signature Event.

⛳Course Breakdown: Murifield Village Golf Club

·       Yardage: ~7,569-7,573 yards (post-renovations)

·       Par: 72

Architect: Jack Nicklaus (opened 1974; multiple renovations, including major 2020 updates that rebuilt every hole, shifted greens/tees, and enhanced strategy on the par 5s)

Muirfield Village is a classic Nicklaus design that rewards precision, strategic shot-shaping, and elite ball-striking over pure bombing. Fairways are relatively wide but penal when missed (highest missed fairway penalty on Tour). Rough is thick, and there are water hazards on about 11-13 holes. Bentgrass greens (avg. ~5,000 sq. ft.) demand excellent approach play and scrambling.

Key Stats from History:

• Demands strong Strokes Gained: Approach (often top difficulty ranking).

• Driving Accuracy matters more than raw distance due to penalties.

• Scrambling and short game are crucial around firm, contoured greens.

• Par 5s (5, 7, 11, 15) offer scoring chances but require precise positioning.

• Tough finishing stretch (15-18) frequently decides the tournament.

✅What Type of Golfer Wins Here?

·       Elite iron players

·       Accurate drivers who avoid big misses

·       Strong scramblers

·       Those comfortable on bentgrass/Poannua greens

·       Think ball-strikers like Scheffler, Cantlay, or Fitzpatrick rather than pure distance bombers or erratic putters. Recent form on tough, tree-lined tracks and U.S. Open-style setups helps.

Event History

Founded by Jack Nicklaus in 1976 as a tribute to golf legends. It has raised millions for charity and consistently attracts top talent. Tiger Woods holds the record with 5 wins. Recent dominance by Scheffler.

Recent Winners:

2025: Scottie Scheffler (-10)

2024: Scottie Scheffler (-8)

2023: Viktor Hovland (-7, playoff)

2022: Billy Horschel (-13)

2021: Patrick Cantlay (-13, playoff)

2019: Patrick Cantlay (-19)

Multiple: Tiger Woods (5), Kenny Perry (3), etc.

This is a ball-striking paradise where consistent tee-to-green play separates contenders.

💰The Purse

$20M purse (winner ~$4M), Signature Event with no cut. This allows for aggressive DFS builds and rewards high-upside plays across four rounds.

☁️Weather Forecast

Warm and mostly dry early in the week, with potential showers/thunderstorms later. Firm, fast conditions expected initially.

• Thursday (R1): Sunny, high ~84°F, low ~62°F, low rain chance, light winds.

• Friday (R2): Mostly sunny, high ~86°F, low ~66°F, ~30% showers possible later.

• Saturday (R3): Partly sunny, high ~86°F, low ~67°F, 40% chance showers/thunderstorms.

• Sunday (R4): Partly sunny, high ~86°F, 40% chance showers/thunderstorms.

Winds generally light-moderate; heat and potential weekend moisture could affect scoring and stamina.

Our Favorite Golfers This Week (DraftKings pricing and odds)

Top Picks (T15 or better)

Scottie Scheffler ($13,500 DK; +310 to win)

Scottie Scheffler enters as the clear favorite and two-time defending champion at Muirfield Village, where he has dominated with wins in 2024 and 2025 plus strong prior showings (including multiple top-3s).

He leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained total and tee-to-green, excelling in the precision iron play and bogey avoidance that Jack Nicklaus’s layout demands.

Recent form remains elite despite a solo third at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and his course history here is impeccable (lowest scoring average among frequent visitors in recent cycles). A top-15 finish feels like the floor for the world No. 1 on a track that rewards his all-around game.

Ludvig Aberg ($10,100 DK; +1600 to win)

Ludvig Åberg has emerged as one of the game’s top young stars, consistently ranking near the top in strokes gained tee-to-green and approach.

He posted a solid T5 in his 2024 Memorial debut and has racked up multiple top-10s in strong fields this season. Muirfield Village’s emphasis on accuracy off the tee, elite approach play, and scrambling suits his polished game perfectly. With recent consistency (few finishes outside the top 20) and comfort on Nicklaus designs, Åberg has the tools to contend and easily secure a top-15.

Si Woo Kim ($9,400 DK; +2250 to win)

Si Woo Kim boasts outstanding course history at Muirfield Village, with finishes like T9 (2021), T13 (2022), 4th (2023), T15 (2024), and solid tee-to-green metrics that align with the track’s demands.

He ranks near the very top in several key 2026 stats (including high in overall SG and bogey avoidance) and has delivered multiple top-5s lately, including strong play at the CJ Cup.

While putting can be streaky, his ball-striking and history here make him a reliable top-15 candidate on a course where he has thrived.

Fade (Outside of top 15)

Cam Young ($10,300 DK; +1500 to win)

Cam Young has had a breakout 2026 with multiple wins (including the Players) and sits among the tour leaders in SG total.

However, his best result at Muirfield Village is relatively modest, and the course’s penalty for missed fairways and demanding approaches may expose any inconsistency in accuracy. While he’s a top player, the track history and layout suggest he could post a solid but not elite week, making top-15 tougher than his current ranking implies.

Matt Fitzpatrick ($9,600 DK; +1950 to win)

Matt Fitzpatrick has won multiple times in 2026 and ranks elite in tee-to-green, but his Memorial record shows more mid-pack results than dominance (e.g., scoring average around 71.79 in recent cycles).

Muirfield Village rewards precision and experience here that haven’t always translated to his best, despite strong overall form. Expect a competitive week, but fading him for a top-15 feels prudent given the course-specific data.

Tommy Fleetwood ($9,100 DK; +3200 to win)

Tommy Fleetwood remains a high-level player with strong ball-striking, but he lacks standout results at Muirfield Village and can be streaky in high-pressure, precision-demanding setups. The layout’s demands on approach and scrambling may not play to his peak strengths as consistently as other elite tracks. In a tough field, a top-15 push is possible but far from guaranteed.

Dark Horse (outright winner to top 15)

Justin Thomas ($8,400 DK; +3900 to win)

Justin Thomas has shown flashes of his elite form with improved accuracy and hot irons recently. He has a strong historical connection to this event from his peak years, and the second-shot focus of Muirfield Village suits his iron play when the putter cooperates. Coming off solid recent top-15s and with putting rebound potential, he’s a live top-15 (or better) threat.

Ben Griffin ($9,000 DK; +4100 to win)

Ben Griffin has been on a heater, including a strong Charles Schwab Challenge performance and consistent top-10/25 contention. He excels in ball-striking and scrambling—key at Muirfield—and looks comfortable on Jack Nicklaus-style tracks. His recent momentum and ability to grind out scores make him an excellent dark horse for a top-15 payday.

Alex Smalley ($8,000 DK; +5500 to win)

Alex Smalley has been one of the hottest ball-strikers on tour, with a PGA Championship runner-up and recent top-3s showcasing his consistency. His approach play and ability to perform in tough fields align perfectly with Muirfield Village’s demands. In a signature event, his form positions him well as a sneaky top-15 contender.

DFS using DK Pricing Picks by Tier

Again, with no cut, we are embracing reasonable risk this weekend, you should too.

$10k+

Scottie Scheffler $13,500 and Ludvig Aberg $10,100

We love both this week and the write ups are above.

$9k+

Xander Schauffele $9,800

Xander Schauffele has been a model of reliability at the Memorial, posting a top-25 in each of his last seven appearances with multiple top-10s. His elite all-around game—particularly tee-to-green and approach play—fits Muirfield Village’s demands perfectly, where he ranks among the lowest scoring averages in recent cycles. In strong 2026 form with frequent top-10s, Schauffele offers high floor and ceiling for DFS, making him a premium play with strong ownership justification.

Si Woo Kim $9,400

Si Woo Kim owns one of the best records at Muirfield Village (multiple top-15s, including a T4 and T9 in recent years) and ranks near the top of the FedEx Cup with seven top-10s in 2026. His precision ball-striking and bogey avoidance shine on this layout, and while putting can vary, the track’s scoring opportunities play to his strengths. At mid-tier DraftKings pricing, he’s a high-upside, course-fit staple.

$8k+

Hideki Matsuyama $8,700

Hideki Matsuyama won here in 2014 and has rarely missed the weekend since, with consistent contention. He’s 13-for-13 in cuts made in 2026, boasting multiple top-25s and a runner-up. His iron play and experience on Nicklaus designs make him a proven DFS commodity at Muirfield, where precision off the tee and approaches are rewarded. Expect scoring upside in a field that suits his game.

Justin Thomas $8,400

We like JT this week as shown above.

Chris Gotterup $8,200

Chris Gotterup has already notched two victories in 2026 and brings massive distance off the tee, which can unlock birdie opportunities at Muirfield despite its accuracy demands. Recent strong showings (including top-10s) and comfort in big fields position him as a high-variance, high-reward DFS option—ideal for GPP builds looking for ceiling at a reasonable salary.

Alex Smalley $8,000

We like Smalley this week as shown above

$7k+

Gary Woodland $7,300

Gary Woodland’s length and improved ball-striking in 2026 (including a win) give him an edge on a course that can reward aggressive play when dialed in. He’s shown flashes of his elite form and offers solid value in DFS lineups as a lower-owned option with the potential to go low in favorable conditions.

Jacob Bridgeman $7,400

Jacob Bridgeman has been a steady performer with multiple top-15s and strong tee-to-green metrics in 2026. His ability to avoid big mistakes and grind out scores aligns well with Muirfield’s tough setup. As a mid-to-lower priced play, he brings a high floor that’s perfect for cash games and balanced lineups.

Kurt Kitayama $7,800

Kurt Kitayama ranks elite in strokes gained approach and ball-striking this season, with a string of recent top-10/15s. Though his prior Memorial results are mixed, his current consistency and proximity game make him a sneaky DFS target on a course that heavily rewards irons. Low ownership potential adds to the appeal.

Jordan Speith $7,900

Jordan Spieth has nine top-20s in 13 Memorial starts, including recent top-10 contention. His short-game magic and scrambling ability can salvage rounds at Muirfield Village, where creativity shines. In solid recent form, Spieth provides massive upside for GPPs at a DraftKings price that rewards his proven affinity for the venue.

$6k+

Pierceson Coody $6,900

Pierceson Coody has shown strong approach play and consistency in tougher fields. His trajectory and ability to gain strokes tee-to-green position him well for a breakthrough week at Muirfield. As a value play, he offers ownership leverage with the potential to pop in a precision-based event.

Eric Cole $6,700

Eric Cole excels in ball-striking and has delivered consistent performances in 2026, including strong finishes in signature events. Muirfield Village’s emphasis on accuracy and iron play suits his game, making him a reliable mid-range DFS option with a solid floor for multi-entry builds.

Alex Fitzpatrick $6,700

Alex Fitzpatrick has been one of the breakout stories with recent wins and strong form across tours. His ball-striking has translated well, and at longer odds/pricing, he represents excellent DFS value with upside in a week where experience isn’t everything for emerging talents.

Tony Finau $6,600

Tony Finau’s length and recent flashes of form make him a classic buy-low DFS target after any recent hiccups. He has the tools to contend on a bomber-friendly layout when his irons heat up, providing ceiling at a discounted salary that fits perfectly in balanced or contrarian lineups.

🎯Our One-and-Done Picks

Collin – Justin Thomas

Frank – Ben Griffin

*That’s it for this week. Check back next Wednesday for our RBC Canadian Open preview and follow us on our new X accounts @FTO_picks and @FTO_fun!

*This preview does not represent our final betting picks for this event. For our full set of picks, check our our Game Picks section!

**Odds accurate at time of posting.