Memorial Tournament News: Early commitments include 2019 winner Rahm, 2018 winner DeChambeau, 2014 winner Matsuyama and World #4 Schauffele

2020 Memorial tournament winner John Rahm (courtesy PGA Tour)

the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide

May 5, 2021

Badge sales remain suspended for the 46th edition of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide

Dublin, Ohio – Officials of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide announced today that the Tournament has accepted entries from 2020 Memorial winner Jon Rahm, U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (2018 Memorial Tournament winner), reigning Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (2014 Memorial Tournament winner) and World No. 5  Xander Schauffele to compete in the 46th edition of the prestigious invitational hosted by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.

The 2021 Memorial Tournament will be contested at newly redesigned Muirfield Village Golf Club the week of May 31 – June 6.

Rahm made his professional debut in 2016 with a T-3 finish at Quicken Loans National and has never looked back. Six starts into his first full season on the PGA TOUR he grabbed his first win at the Farmers Insurance Open, followed by one title each year in 2018 and 2019 to go with his first two-win season in 2020 that included victories at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and BMW Championship. Rahm also enjoyed eight top-10 finishes last year, a number he has already exceeded this season with nine¾which currently ranks first on the PGA TOUR¾and topped $5 million in earnings. His win at the Memorial propelled him to the No. 1 spot in the World Rankings, a position he held for four weeks. The 26-year-old is currently No. 3 in the world and No. 12 in FedExCup points. The 2021 Tournament will mark the Spaniard’s third Memorial start but his fourth visit. In 2016 Rahm was presented with the Jack Nicklaus Award¾as the Division I collegiate Player of the Year as chosen by the Golf Coaches Association of America¾by the Golden Bear himself during the final round of the Memorial Tournament. With his win at the 45th Memorial, Rahm joined Patrick Cantlay and Tiger Woods as the only Jack Nicklaus Award winners to hoist the Memorial Tournament trophy. Rahm’s earnings at the Memorial total $1,674,000 and his scoring average is 71.50

DeChambeau enjoyed a career-best 2017-18 PGA TOUR season, and his playoff victory in the 43rd Memorial was the catalyst. His three victories propelled his season earnings to more than $8 million and a third-place finish in the FedExCup standings. The California native has since continued his inspired play, adding a win each subsequent season and two in his 2020-21 campaign, including his first major championship at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, for a total of eight PGA TOUR titles. Through 10 starts this season, DeChambeau has five top-10 finishes, sits at No. 5 in the world and No. 2 in FedExCup points, and currently leads the PGA TOUR in Driving Distance (321.1 average), Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (1.144 average), Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (2.099 average) and Strokes Gained: Total (2.533 average). He also finished the 2019-20 season ranked No. 1 in Driving Distance (322.1 average) and Strokes Gained Off-The-Tee (1.039 average). At 24 years, 8 months and 18 days, DeChambeau became the fourth-youngest winner in Memorial Tournament history behind Matsuyama, who was 22 years, 3 months and 7 days in 2014, and Tiger Woods’ 1999 and 2000 victories. In four career starts at Muirfield Village Golf Club, DeChambeau has earned $1,723,360 and his scoring average is 70.43.

Matsuyama, 29, ended a three-season winless drought in dramatic fashion earlier this month by becoming the first Japanese male to win a major championship with his victory at the Masters Tournament. The win marked his sixth career PGA TOUR title, his first coming in 2014 with a playoff victory over Kevin Na at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Matsuyama has recorded two top-10 finishes this season¾a T-2 effort at the Vivint Houston Open to go with his Masters win¾and is ranked No. 9 in FedExCup points and No. 14 in the world. This will be his eighth appearance at the Memorial Tournament, where he has enjoyed three top-10 finishes to go with $1,835,105 in earnings and a 70.71 scoring average.

Schauffele burst onto the PGA TOUR scene during the 2016-17 season, recording four top-10 finishes, including two wins—A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier and the TOUR Championship. His victory at East Lake helped Schauffele cap off his rookie campaign ranked No. 3 in FedExCup standings and lock up the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. The 27-year-old California native has racked up a total of 30 top-10 finishes¾eight coming in major championships¾in his four-plus seasons on TOUR, including four victories. At the end of last season, Schauffele joined Matsuyama and Justin Thomas as one of three players to finish in the top-15 of the FedExCup standings each season since 2016-17. Schauffele is currently ranked No. 5 in FedExCup points to go with his No. 4 world ranking on the strength of six top-10s in 13 starts this season. This will be his fourth appearance at the Memorial Tournament, where he enjoyed his best finish last year with a T-13 effort, to increase his earnings to $335,385. His Memorial scoring average is 71.16.

The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide also announced today that badge sales for the 2021 event remain suspended at this time. The Tournament has worked closely with the State of Ohio, Franklin County and the PGA TOUR to determine a mutually agreeable attendance plan, given significant consideration to the current pandemic environment. The Memorial Tournament remains committed to the wellbeing of all involved with the event¾and the greater Columbus community¾and will continue to ensure that health and safety protocols remain a top priority at this year’s Memorial. Including, but not limited to:

  • FACE COVERINGS ® Non-surgical masks are required, upon entry, for all attendees, with the exempted exceptions recognized, and are to be worn at all times while on property, except when actively consuming food or beverage. Note: Masks will be issued to individuals who do not have one.
  • MAINTAIN GOOD HYGIENE ® Practice frequent hand washing at sanitizing stations throughout the course.
  • CLEAN AND SANITIZE ® All venues and equipment that individuals come in contact with will receive diligent cleaning procedures throughout each day.
  • SOCIAL DISTANCING ® All attendees will be encouraged to recognize social distancing when navigating the grounds.
  • CASHLESS ® All onsite merchandise and concession locations will be operated as cashless, with required credit card swiping or tap technology in place. All major credit cards accepted.
  • PAPERLESS ® QR codes will be used to communicate concession menu options and provide attendees access to the Tournament’s pairings sheet and patron guide.
  • VENUE CAPACITY ® Limited capacity within all venues will be observed based on health orders from the State of Ohio.

“First and foremost, all involved with the Memorial Tournament are thrilled to welcome patrons back this year,” said Tournament Executive Director, Dan Sullivan. “Although we will be limited with respect to the number of attending patrons per day, we are excited to offer to those who attend an opportunity to see the world’s best golfers compete on the newly renovated Muirfield Village Golf Club.”

For more information about the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, please visit thememorialtournament.com. For the latest news and updates on social media, follow the tournament

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About the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide

The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the world’s best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit many Greater Columbus Charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and numerous other local organizations. For more information, visit www.thememorialtournament.com or call 614-889-6700.

About Nationwide

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