Scottie Scheffler has once again proven why he is the world’s No. 1 golfer, defending his title at the 50th Memorial Tournament with a commanding performance at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. On June 1, 2025, Scheffler closed with a steady 2-under 70 to finish at 10-under 278, securing a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin. This win marks Scheffler’s third PGA Tour title in his last four starts and the 16th of his career, placing him among the fastest to reach this milestone, trailing only legends Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
In a field known for its difficulty, with only 11 players finishing under par, Scheffler’s dominance was clear. He became the first player since Tiger Woods to win consecutive Memorial Tournament titles, a feat Woods achieved with a three-peat from 1999 to 2001. Scheffler’s consistency was on full display as he was the only player to break par all four days, a testament to his skill and mental toughness on one of the PGA Tour’s most challenging courses.
Throughout the week, Scheffler paced himself with a pair of 70s in the first two rounds before making a decisive move on Saturday. He carded a bogey-free 68, highlighted by four birdies in his final five holes, to take a one-stroke lead into the final round over Griffin. Despite a shaky start Sunday—missing the first four greens—Scheffler’s short game bailed him out repeatedly, allowing him to maintain and extend his lead.
Ben Griffin, who entered the final round just one shot behind Scheffler, was the hottest golfer on the planet outside of the world No. 1. Griffin, fresh off a win at the Colonial last week, showed resilience with a 12-foot eagle at the par-5 15th and a 28-foot birdie at the 16th, narrowing Scheffler’s lead to two shots. However, a costly double bogey on the 17th hole effectively ended his challenge, finishing with a 73 and securing second place alone at 6-under for the tournament.
Sepp Straka finished third at 5-under, while Nick Taylor rounded out the top contenders at 4-under. Rickie Fowler, playing on a sponsor exemption, closed with a 73 to tie for seventh and secure a spot in the upcoming British Open as the top finisher not previously qualified, edging out Brandt Snedeker based on world ranking.
Jack Nicklaus, the tournament host and a legend of the game, was present to witness Scheffler’s triumph and had high praise for the young star. Nicklaus noted, “Scottie plays a lot like I did. He hits fairways and greens and lets his competitors blink. He doesn’t want to brag, but he can bring his level to whatever it needs to be. He’s not just a good player; he’s a great player.” His comments highlight the maturity and strategic approach Scheffler employs, likening him to the Golden Bear himself.
On the CBS broadcast, analyst Trevor Immelman dubbed Scheffler “The Closer,” while Ian Baker-Finch compared him to Mariano Rivera, the legendary New York Yankees closer, underscoring Scheffler’s reputation for sealing victories under pressure. Scheffler remains perfect on the PGA Tour when holding a 54-hole lead, now 9-for-9, a streak that stretches back to the 2023 WM Phoenix Open.
Despite the pressure, Scheffler remained composed throughout the final round. After a bogey on the 10th hole—his only blemish in the last 40 holes—he bounced back with a precise 14-foot birdie putt on the 11th. Griffin missed a short birdie attempt on the same hole and then made bogeys on the next two, allowing Scheffler to stretch his lead to four strokes. Scheffler’s ability to control the clubface and manage distance, as noted by fellow competitor Jordan Spieth, is perhaps the best the sport has ever seen, contributing to his remarkable consistency.
Scheffler’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. Earlier in the season, he won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson by an eight-shot margin at 31-under, followed by a commanding five-shot victory at the PGA Championship, earning his third major title. His only recent hiccup was a tie for fourth at the Charles Schwab Challenge, marking his eighth top-10 finish and sixth consecutive one. With the PGA Tour heading to the RBC Canadian Open next week, Scheffler will sit this one out, focusing instead on the U.S. Open at Oakmont in two weeks, where he will be the clear favorite despite never having won that major.
Ben Griffin, reflecting on his runner-up finish, expressed both pride and frustration. “I’m definitely proving further more that I belong at the top in this game,” he said. “I won twice the last five weeks and those feelings are fun on Sunday nights when you’re signing a bunch of flags. I was prepared to do that today and ultimately just didn’t execute how I wanted to to get it done.” His performance, however, cements him as a rising star and a formidable challenger to Scheffler’s dominance.
The Memorial Tournament once again served as a stage for greatness, with Scheffler’s back-to-back titles placing him alongside Tiger Woods in the record books. As Jack Nicklaus said, “You just don’t make dumb mistakes, play solid golf, and you win.” Scheffler embodies that philosophy, and with the U.S. Open looming, golf fans worldwide will be watching to see if he can continue his historic run.
