DeChambeau gets the one he wants at the Memorial
What happened at The Memorial Tournament?
Bryson DeChambeau got the better of Byeong-Hun An in a playoff to win the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.
At one point on Sunday, Patrick Cantlay had a two-shot lead, but three dropped shots on the back-nine meant he’d come up a shot short. Incidentally, his group was put on the clock halfway through the round.
DeChambeau and Kyle Stanley headed to the 18th tee tied for the lead, but DeChambeau’s approach found the green on the right hand side and three-putted, while Stanley’s tee shot ricocheted off a tree into the thick rough. They’d both tie Byeong-Hun An – who made two birdies in the final four holes to shoot a 69 – to head to a playoff.
Kyle Stanley was the first to be eliminated thanks to a wretched bit of luck. Again, his tee shot on the 18th would find an awkward spot, where he advanced it a couple of yards in the rough. He found the bunker with his approach, and his par attempt hit the flag but didn’t drop.
And so DeChambeau and An headed to the 18th tee again. This time, An pulled his approach well long but hit a beautiful flop shot to close range. But DeChambeau rolled in a 10-footer downhill for birdie to win his second PGA Tour title.
What a putt. ?
What a reaction. ?@B_DeChambeau has claimed @MemorialGolf in a playoff!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/LaoHfYlKsQ— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Full Memorial Tournament leaderboard
Talking point
As is normally the case, Tiger was the main draw this weekend.
When Woods holed out for eagle on Friday, it seemed as if he was readying himself for a charge at the leaders over the final two rounds.
Sure enough, Woods got off to a brilliant start on Saturday and at one point tied for the lead. From that point onwards, it all seemed to fizzle out, with the putter the main culprit.
In recent times, we’ve been accustomed to brilliant putting and poor ball striking from Woods, but his last few starts, this pattern has flipped.
Just look at these statistics from his performance this week:
Tiger Woods' field ranks this week:
SG Tee To Green: 1st
SG Approach Green: 1st
Proximity to hole: 1st
SG Putting: 2nd-to-last— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 3, 2018
Clearly, the putter held him back from winning for the sixth time at Muirfield Village this week.
But this can only be a positive for Woods fans. Indeed, he is striking the ball as well as he ever has. His round on Friday, where he holed out for eagle and on the very next hole hit the flag with his tee shot, was one of the very best ball striking rounds of his career.
Surely Woods will sort his putting out sooner rather than later. And when he does, expect him to win again, because he is playing too well from tee-to-green not to.
Shinnecock Hills may just present the perfect opportunity.
Best quote
DeChambeau:
I can’t believe I did it today. Just to be able to win his (Jack’s) event is such an honour.
Best moments
This is Bryson’s world and we’re all just living in it. pic.twitter.com/7otJsokgsJ
— Alex Perry (@AlexPerryNCG) June 3, 2018
This for the win for @ByeongHunAn …#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/5iCatgBLyy
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
"He had nothing."
Kyle Stanley falters. pic.twitter.com/nn8CQcVai1
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Golf is heartbreaking.
We're headed to a playoff @MemorialGolf. pic.twitter.com/nwL93iQ5SI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Wow.
What an awful bounce for Kyle Stanley at the 72nd hole. pic.twitter.com/DXJAiAeqJi
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
FOUR STRAIGHT! ????@KyleStanleyGolf ties the lead!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/evUoscpvlk
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Birdie-birdie-birdie.@KyleStanleyGolf is one shot back.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/NXhFR4J3tj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Shot 1: Rough
Shot 2: Rough
Shot 3: Rough
Shot 4: Green
Shot 5: Hole@B_DeChambeau finds a way to make par and stay out front at @MemorialGolf. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/qOkXqar8ck— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Back-to-back for @B_DeChambeau!
We have a new solo leader. ??#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/85o3pHjUho
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Tiger goes OB, but saves bogey.
He falls to 7 back @MemorialGolf. pic.twitter.com/zM4SiRdSHN
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
When you find the hazard twice and still save par …
? @KyleStanleyGolf ?#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/GFVQ6V5jSg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Woods with a wedge. ??
Tiger's back to T7 @MemorialGolf.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/KqpYuDrqaF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Extending the lead.
Cantlay has moved in front by 2.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/RRSBhPXkqx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
One hole.
One ?.A fast start to the final round at @MemorialGolf.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/a6IgS3ZRAl
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2018
Final Memorial Tournament leaderboard
Olesen holds off Molinari to break Italian hearts
Final Italian Open leaderboard
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
