This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
the Memorial Tournament – Dublin, OH
Muirfield Village Golf Club (7,392 yards, par 72)
$8.9M Purse
$1,602,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
As the dream and work of legend Jack Nicklaus, Muirfield Village naturally attracts the best fields, and 2018 is no exception. Now in its fourth decade as Memorial host, the perpetual top-20 course in America has amassed all kinds of accolades. One of the most impressive is that it's the only locale to host all three of U.S. pro golf's team match-play events – the Ryder Cup (1987), Solheim Cup (1998), and Presidents Cup (2013). The par-72 layout is best described as a second-shot golf course that is long but forgiving off the tee with quick putting surfaces. With a stacked field and the highest purse behind only the four majors, THE PLAYERS, and the four WGC events, Muirfield Village should again provide plenty of excitement in the wake of Memorial Day.
Recent Past Champions
2017 – Jason Dufner
2016 – William McGirt
2015 – David Lingmerth
2014 – Hideki Matsuyama
2013 – Matt Kuchar
2012 – Tiger Woods
2011 – Steve Stricker
2010 – Justin Rose
2009 – Tiger Woods
2008 – Kenny Perry
Key Stats to Winning this Week
• Strokes Gained: Approach
• Par-5 Scoring
• Scrambling percentage
Champion's Profile
Muirfield mimics many of Jack Nicklaus' designs, providing wide fairways and lightning-fast greens. However forgiving off the tee, the hallmark trait to success at Muirfield has proven to be approach shots, which include second shots into the reachable par-5s. Thick rough and challenging bunkers surround the large and tricky greens, making scrambling - especially from the sand – critical to scoring well at Muirfield Village. Sure, bombers can have an easier time because they're approaching the green with more lofted clubs, but missing fairways ultimately forces players to scramble well to contend. The bottom line here is that ball strikers and short game artists alike can contend, but the Memorial Tournament ultimately identifies many of the world's best as champions.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Jason Day, $12500 – It's almost criminal that Day has yet to post a top-10 at Muirfield, though he came close with a T15 last year. It is only a matter of time before he breaks the skid here, especially given his recent form, elite short game, and length off the tee. As a local resident of the Columbus area, Day should also receive a little extra support.
Dustin Johnson, $12300 – Five top-20 finishes in 10 career starts make DJ a safe bet for a good finish at Muirfield, where long and straight driving can really make birdies easy on the reachable par-5s. Now that he's fallen back to World No. 2 for the first time in over a year, he will be hungry to regain the top spot again.
Justin Thomas, $12100 – Recently taking over the World No. 1 slot is Thomas, who leads the FedEx Cup rankings this season after winning the FedEx Cup last year. Thomas is a prototypical fit for Jack's venue, with elite driving ability and no real weaknesses in his entire game. Last year's top-5 finish at Muirfield is just a glimpse of what we should see from Thomas throughout his career at Jack's place.
Rory McIlroy, $11900 – Coming off a runner up at the BMW PGA last week, McIlroy is playing with confidence at a venue that rewards his elite ball striking. McIlroy has proven his worth here, notching three top-10s in six career starts.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
Bubba Watson, $10700 – Provided the long and talented Watson can keep it in the fairway, he will be a real threat to contend. With two wins already on the season, it's clear Bubba knows how to close the deal if he finds himself in position come Sunday afternoon.
Emiliano Grillo, $10400 – As a third-place finisher at last week's Fort Worth Invitational, Grillo is in great form heading into his third trip to Muirfield. The Argentinian was elite with his irons and putter last week, so if he can carry that over he will be a contender on the weekend.
Patrick Cantlay, $9900 – The 26-year-old is plenty talented from tee to green and notched a T35 in his first trip to Muirfield last season. Now with some experience under his belt, Cantlay is primed to record a nice finish considering his style of play and recent form.
Kyle Stanley, $8600 – The underrated ball striker has hovered quietly under the radar this season, notching eight top-25 finishes at the halfway mark. His fit is quite good for this course, especially considering his two top-6 finishes in his last three starts here. Don't sleep on this great value option, especially with a higher percentage of the field making the cut this week.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
A limited invite-only field of just 120 players means a higher-than-normal percentage of players (top 70 and ties) make the cut, opening the door for greater risk-taking in your lineups this week. Make sure to secure at least two great iron players who have shown good historical results at Muirfield. In the lower tiers, focus in on guys who are long enough to make a few carefree birdies on the par-5s and get inside the cut line.
