The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide: Spectator and Tournament Information

By Ryan Watson

photo courtesy The Memorial Tournament

The 2018 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide takes place May 31-June 3 at Dublin, Ohio’s Muirfield Village Golf Club. The Memorial Tournament was founded in 1976 and is one of only five PGA Tournaments granted invitational status. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and presents golfers with one of the most challenging layouts in golf.

History

The story of the Memorial begins with one of the golf’s greatest players Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus had long envisioned returning to the Columbus, OH region to create a golf course and tournament that would allow him to give back to the region and game that gave him his livelihood. Muirfield Village was completed in 1974 and provided the first part of Nicklaus’ vision; the inaugural Memorial in 1976 fulfilled the second. Nicklaus has remained host of the tournament since that first tournament. Nicklaus founded the Memorial to remember golf's greats after their playing days had ended and to reflect on their achievements. Each year, one golfer and golf journalist are honored with Nicklaus himself being honored in 2000. All honorees have a plaque installed in their honor at the Muirfield Clubhouse.

The tournament has been won many legends of the game, including Curtis Strange, Jim Furyk and Hideki Matsuyama. Tiger Woods has the most Memorial titles with 5 while Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Kenny Perry, Hale Irwin and founder Jack Nicklaus are also multiple winners. Tom Lehman, winner in 1994, holds the record low score with -20.

Spectator Information

Fans looking to make the trip to Ohio have numerous options. The tournament sells weekly badges starting with the Patron Badge for $185. This will give grounds access for the entire week, including the Wednesday Pro-Am and practice rounds. A Pavilion Badge is also available for $290 which provides access to the grounds and the air-conditioned Pavilion overlooking the 18th green. The Pavilion also features breakfast and lunch buffets for purchase and a cash bar. For $290 spectators can get the Golden Bear Club Badge that grants access to the grounds and the Golden Bear Club sports bar located between the 10th fairway and 14th green. This option features an upgraded food menu, cash bar and television viewing. Complimentary youth tickets for anyone 18 and under are also available for kids accompanying an adult ticketholder, while active duty, reserve and veteran members of the armed forces are eligible for 4 complimentary tickets for Military Appreciation Day on May 30th.

For fans not able to attend the tournament in person, television coverage will be available from both the Golf Channel and CBS. The first two rounds are available on Thursday and Friday 2:30-6:30pm ET on the Golf Channel. The Golf Channel also provides coverage Saturday 12:30-2:30pm ET and Sunday 12-2pm ET. Primetime coverage is provided Saturday 3-6pm ET and Sunday 2:30-6pm ET on CBS. The action is also being streamed online by PGA Tour Live Thursday and Friday from 7:30am-6:30pm ET and 8:15am-6pm ET Saturday and Sunday. Radio coverage is provided by PGA Tour Radio on Sirius XM and online at PGATour.com noon-6:30pm ET Thursday and Friday and 1-6pm ET on Saturday and Sunday.