The countdown to the US Open is well and truly on, and many of the game’s biggest stars have been gearing up for the year’s third major in all sorts of different ways
The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village has been something of a rollercoaster ride as the golfing world inches closer to the US Open. A total of 156 players will battle it out at Oakmont Country Club from June 12 to 15 for the year’s third major.
Many will be hoping to emulate Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who have already enjoyed huge success this year at the Masters and the PGA Championship, respectively.
The Canadian Open at TPC Toronto now provides PGA pros with a final opportunity to hone their skills before the eagerly awaited US-based event arrives, and it’s fair to say some players may be better prepared than others.
Here, we delve into some of the most significant current stories in golf. From Scheffler’s record-equalling victory at the Memorial on Sunday and Jordan Spieth nearly hitting a spectator with an errant shot, to Rickie Fowler’s recent respite and Jack Nicklaus’ tirade about what he currently dislikes about golf.
Scheffler channels Tiger Woods in Memorial dominance
It appears Scheffler has developed a habit of equalling records this year. The 28-year-old posted an impressive 31-under at last month’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson to secure his first PGA Tour title of 2025, finishing eight strokes ahead of second-placed Erik van Rooyen.
Scheffler equalled a record set by Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open and matched by Ludvig Aberg at the RSM Classic in 2023, with an overall 72-hole score of 253 strokes. His second victory of 2025 came at the PGA Championship, where he posted an 11-under-par score at Quail Hollow to clinch his first major title.
On Sunday, Scheffler was back in record-equalling form as the Memorial Tournament concluded, becoming only the second player ever to defend a title at Muirfield Village. He finished one stroke ahead of Collin Morikawa in last year’s tournament, before returning in 2025 to defend his title with a four-stroke lead over Ben Griffin.
His achievement follows Tiger Woods’ historic back-to-back victories at the Memorial in 1999 and 2000. However, if Scheffler wants to match Woods’ three consecutive wins at Muirfield Village, he’ll need to secure another victory next year, as Woods also won the title in 2001.
Spieth almost wipes out a fan with a wayward shot
One golfer who will be keen to forget the 2025 Memorial is Spieth, who nearly hit a spectator with a wayward shot on Sunday. The 31-year-old’s final round got off to a tumultuous start when his drive from the first tee veered right into thick rough.
Spieth had the crowd holding their breath during a nerve-wracking moment in which he attempted a daring shot from 168 yards out with a terrible lie. The ball flew unexpectedly low, narrowly missing a spectator who appeared to have a heart-stopping moment as it zipped over his head.
Commentator Dame Laura Davies, watching from the Sky Sports Golf booth, said: “Ooh! It’s funny because I looked at those people and thought, after that tee shot, they’re a bit brave here. And well, that guy moves so quickly. I think it missed everyone.”
Her colleague Andrew Coltart chimed in, adding: “Goodness me, I hope so. He was full of confidence, but never got the connection at all. Hopefully, everybody is okay. Jordan, what are you doing?”.
Despite a two-over-par finish for the round, Spieth managed to end the tournament on one under after 72 holes, tying for seventh place with Brandt Snedeker, Tom Hoge, Rickie Fowler, and Keegan Bradley.
Fowler breathes a sigh of relief
Rickie Fowler, meanwhile, could breathe a sigh of relief, having grasped a valuable opportunity on Sunday. His T7 finish at the Memorial earned him a spot at this year’s Open at Royal Portrush.
The Californian boasts six PGA Tour victories but is still on the hunt for his first major championship win. The prize of a slot in the final major of the year was reserved for the highest-placed player at the Memorial not already qualified for the tournament.
Fowler, by virtue of his finish and a higher ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) than Snedeker, secured his passage to the Open Championship.
Following his qualification at the Memorial, Fowler said: “We’re heading the right way. This week still could have been a lot better, but definite positive is going over to Portrush. That’s one I’ve wanted on the schedule.”
Snedeker still has an opportunity to join Fowler in the Open Championship. However, the next tournament in the Open Qualifying Series is the upcoming RBC Canadian Open.
Nicklaus explains pet peeve
With an impressive 18 major championship victories and 73 PGA Tour titles under his belt, Nicklaus continues to be a significant figure in golf. Since officially retiring in 2005, the game has evolved considerably compared to icon’s prime.
The 85-year-old was quick to highlight one particular aspect that he detests, which happened during this weekend’s Memorial. Griffin was tied for the second-round lead when he hit a drive into thick rough on the par-four 17th hole.
As Griffin approached his ball, Golf Channel broadcaster Rex Hoggard approached him for a walk-and-talk interview. Hoggard asked: “Joked yesterday, I asked you what your energy levels are like, and your wife had one answer. She said she was exhausted; you said you were fine. How are you?”
However, Nicklaus took exception to the interview style, stating: “I can’t stand that… the interview on the golf course. Let me tell you how I think, how I feel.
“I mean, seriously, here’s a guy who’s leading the golf tournament, he’s just hit the edge of the rough, he’s got a very difficult shot on a very difficult hole, and you’re talking to him about stuff that totally takes his mind off of what he was doing. How would you think [Ben] Hogan would respond to that question?”
While Terry Gannon, who was on duty at the time, said: “Times have changed,” Nicklaus was quick to reply: “You would not have any teeth left if you did. He’d [Hogan] hit you right in the face with it.”