Rory McIlroy faced early struggles but finished one under par in his opening round at the 2026 Memorial Tournament in Ohio.
The 2026 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio kicked off with a challenging start for Rory McIlroythe Masters champion who found himself navigating tricky conditions on the iconic course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Northern Irish golfer, playing only his sixth regular PGA Tour event of the year, had to contend with wayward tee shots and firm, fast greens that demanded precision.
McIlroy’s round was a rollercoaster of emotions, with early setbacks followed by impressive recoveries. His performance set the stage for an intriguing tournament, as other top golfers also faced the demanding layout of Muirfield Village.
McIlroy’s rollercoaster round at Muirfield Village
The 37-year-old golfer began his round with a double bogey at the third hole after finding the water, but he quickly regrouped with a run of three birdies to reach the turn at one under par. His back nine was marked by both brilliance and frustration, including a hooked tee shot at the 13th that landed him in deep rough but managed to save par.
McIlroy’s approach shot at the 14th was particularly noteworthy, setting up a birdie from inside two feet. However, his round ended on a sour note at the 18th, where another wayward tee shot narrowly missed the water, leading to a missed seven-foot putt for par. Despite the challenges, McIlroy finished with a respectable score of 71, one under par.
“I felt like I played pretty well, for the most part, especially after making that double on the third hole, to play the rest of the round in three under was good,” McIlroy said in his post-round interview. He acknowledged the difficulty of the course, noting that the greens were already very firm and fast, making it crucial to stay focused on every shot.
Leaders emerge as McIlroy looks ahead
While McIlroy finished one under par, the clubhouse lead was set by a group of three golfers: Tommy FleetwoodWyndham Clarkand JJ Spaunall at five under. Nick Taylor of Canada was close behind at four under, recovering from a double bogey at the seventh hole. Justin Rose and Sam Burns were also in contention, one shot back, while Shane Lowry of Ireland was at two under.
McIlroy’s performance, though not flawless, provided a solid foundation for the rest of the tournament. As he looks ahead to the upcoming US Open at Shinnecock HillsNew York, his focus remains on refining his game and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by each course.
Withdrawals and notable absences
The 2026 Memorial Tournament also saw some notable withdrawals, including Jake Knappwho has been dealing with a left wrist injury since April. Knapp, who captured his sole PGA Tour victory in February 2026 at the Mexican Open, has struggled with the injury, leading to his withdrawal from several high-profile events. His spot in the field was taken by Sudarshan Yellamarajua Canadian golfer enjoying a spectacular season with multiple top-10 finishes.
Other high-profile absences include Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawaboth of whom have been dealing with injuries. Hovland, a former winner of the Memorial, and Morikawa, who is recovering from a back injury, will miss the opportunity to compete at Muirfield Village this year.
The tournament is headlined by Scottie Schefflerthe world number one, who is attempting to become the first player since Steve Stricker in 2011 to win the same PGA Tour event three years in a row. Scheffler, who won the Memorial in 2026 and 2026, is a favorite to add another victory to his resume.
