On Today in Golf, we break down Scottie Scheffler's historic back-to-back Memorial victory, his clutch final round, the challenge of Muirfield, and Jack Nicklaus's high praise for the world number one.
SCHEFFLER'S HISTORIC REPEAT
- Marquee storyline: Scottie Scheffler joined Tiger Woods with a back-to-back Memorial win, his final-round 70 featuring clutch play—like a key birdie on 11 and a stunning putt on 17—showcasing his elite driving and mental game.
- Supporting stat or quote: Announcer on his 17th hole putt: "The man is a machine!" (Scheffler also noted, "My best performance aspect in the final round was driving the ball well.")
- Human angle or fun fact: An emotional Scheffler celebrated with wife Meredith and newborn son Bennett, saying of his wife, "my wife is my biggest supporter... You're really trying to make me emotional now."
THE CHALLENGER: BEN GRIFFIN'S RUNNER-UP FINISH
- Marquee storyline: Ben Griffin secured a strong runner-up finish, acknowledging Scheffler's brilliance but lamenting a "shaky putter early" and key errors like his tee shot on seventeen, yet remains optimistic about future victories.
- Supporting stat or quote: Griffin on his approach: knew he needed to shoot under par but his "putter was shaky early."
- Human angle or fun fact: Griffin took an "unprecedented for him" aggressive driver on the 14th hole in his pursuit of Scheffler.
MUIRFIELD'S MAJESTY & THE GOLDEN BEAR'S WISDOM
- Marquee storyline: Muirfield Village, with its "thick rough," again proved a stern U.S. Open tune-up—Sepp Straka anticipating a "similar demanding test at Oakmont"—as host Jack Nicklaus lauded Scheffler and shared insights on elite champions.
- Supporting stat or quote: Jack Nicklaus on Scheffler: "He's played better than I played," calling him a "pretty good champion."
- Human angle or fun fact: Nicklaus discussed his own competitive philosophy: "I always watch leaderboard... and I always felt like what level I had to play to, to fight that competition off."
AROUND THE VILLAGE: NOTABLE PERFORMERS
- Marquee storyline: Brandt Snedeker fired the day's low round (a seven-under 65) for a T7, while Rickie Fowler (also T7) secured Open qualification. Ludvig Åberg impressed with a final round 66.
- Supporting stat or quote: Snedeker on his stellar round: "drove it great."
- Human angle or fun fact: Jordan Spieth offered audible self-commentary during his round, noting, "Bogeys don't kill ya around here."
Quick Hits
• Sepp Straka's solo 3rd finish • Bud Cauley's poignant Muirfield return ("Worst things... led to best things") • Henley & McNealy T5; Xander's tough Sunday 76 • Scheffler's group put on the clock for pace of play
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