By Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net (
(Dublin, Ohio) Scottie Scheffler, the worlds No. 1 player is leading The Memorial presented by Workday and hosted by Jack Nicklaus by three strokes. That is not a surprise. Some of the players that did not make the got are. Let’s look at several players, the quotes, highlights and leaderboard.
In Command
Scottie Scheffler is in command. A three stroke lead is certainly non insurmountable to a strong Memorial Tournament field but when you are number one in the world, having the tournament field chasing you is a good feeling. Scheffler had a four-under 68 with four birdies, two bogeys and an eagle. Playing in the final group with Adam Hadwin, who stumbled to an even par 72 on day two may put pressure on Hadwin on moving day.
In the Hunt
Keegan Bradley– Bradley’s two round score of (70-69-139) leaves him four strokes behind the surging Scheffler. Bradley started his round off with a double bogey on the par three third hole and then turned his round around. Three birdies and an eagle put him three under on the day and reflected on his day. “It’s always tough out here at Memorial, but today was extra tough. I’m really — it’s one of the best rounds I’ve played all year.”
Viktor Hovland– The 2023 Memorial Champion had an uneven day with five birdies and two bogeys, but the bottom line is he shot a three under par 69 and matched his Thursday score of 69. Hovland has been a good all around player after two rounds of the tournament. Even though Hovland shot matching scores in rounds one and two, he assessed Muirfield Village on day two. Was the course more difficult: Yes, a hundred percent. I don’t know, so far with different pins, I thought there were some tricky pins yesterday, but there were some good ones today as well. I’m just happy to play better today.
Missed the Cut…
After talking to Rickie Fowler at the Rocket Mortgage Media Day earlier in the week, Fowler said that even though his success in Detroit has not been replicated in 2024, he likes where his game was at. Fowler did not make it past day one. He withdrew after shooting a 76.
Other players who will not advance to the weekend include 2024 winners Chris Kirk (78-74), Davis Riley (75-76), Matthieu Pavon (77-75), Jake Knapp (78-72), Stephan Jaeger (75-75), Chris Gotterup (73-76) and Wyndham Clark (77-72), who will defend his U.S. Open title next week. Clark bogeyed the 18th hole to miss the cut by one. He also had a double-bogey on the par-5 15th. It is his second consecutive missed cut and third in his past five starts.
They Said It…
It’s a big week next week. Does it make you do
anything different this week to try and conserve or do you approach this tournament different because of that?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Not really. If anything, maybe my prep work last week would have been a little bit lighter than typically going into a week like this. But outside of that, no. As far as the tournament week goes, I’m here to compete and play my best. I’m not really focused on next week at the moment
In addition, Rory McIlroy
How tough is Muirfield Village this year?
Q. Different course than Pinehurst, but maybe similar mindset in terms of par’s good score, really difficult. Is it a nice kind of mindset tune-up this week?
RORY McILROY: ” Yeah, I think mindset-wise absolutely. As you said, a different style of golf. This is probably more U.S. Open like than the U.S. Open’s going to be next week
(smiling). “
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net