The PGA Tour is heading toward Ohio! Get ready for a thrilling ride at the Memorial Tournament, happening May 29-June 1, 2025, at the legendary Muirfield Village Golf Club, where $20 million is up for grabs. The stage is set for Jack Nicklaus’s event, and the anticipation is building. As the world’s top golfers tee off, one question remains: who will rise to the top?
The big guns are loading up – think Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, and Xander Schauffele bringing their A-game. With such a strong lineup, it’s anyone’s game. And since some of the top players are already not in the field, it seems players won’t have to work as much. But what top players? Well, we have the answer.
Here are the top 5 players missing from this year’s field:
Rory McIlroy
Well, this certainly was a surprise — Rory McIlroy won’t be teeing up at The Memorial Tournament for the first time since 2017. After winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy has had a rollercoaster season, and his decision to skip the third Signature Event might be linked to his desire to limit his schedule and perform better in Majors. Given his strong relationship with Jack Nicklaus, it’s unexpected that McIlroy won’t be participating, especially considering his past performances at Muirfield Village, which include five top-10s, with the best finish of T3 in 2015 and T4 in 2016.
With the RBC Canadian Open and the US Open on the horizon, McIlroy might be focusing on these events, particularly since he’ll be playing back-to-back events, as last year led to a burnout.
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris’ absence from The Memorial Tournament isn’t exactly a curveball, considering his 2025 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride so far. Recent performances haven’t exactly been his strong suit, with a string of lackluster showings, including a missed cut at the PGA Championship and T54 finishes at both the Truist Championship and RBC Heritage. Throw in a couple of withdrawals, including the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and Charles Schwab Challenge, and it’s clear Zalatoris is navigating some choppy waters. Given this, it’s no surprise he’s sitting out The Memorial, a trend that isn’t new for him, as he last bowed out in 2023.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose is taking a well-deserved breather before the 2025 U.S. Open in June, and who can blame him? After dazzling everyone with a 2nd place finish at the Masters, Rose’s recent form has seen both ups and downs – a T42 at the RBC Heritage was followed by a withdrawn start at the Truist Championship, and then a brutal missed cut at the PGA Championship. Maybe he’s just pacing himself for the long haul, saving his A-game for Pinehurst or whatever course the U.S. Open demands. Whatever the reason, Rose’s hiatus is a smart move, giving him time to recharge and refocus before the Open rolls around.
Billy Horschel
This is the one everyone is upset about – Billy Horschel’s absence from The Memorial Tournament is due to his upcoming right hip surgery. As an eight-time PGA TOUR winner, Horschel has had a decent season so far, with notable performances including a T4 finish at the Valspar Championship, a T9 finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and four top-25 finishes in 12 starts. However, he’s also struggled with consistency, missing the cut five times this year, including at the Masters and WM Phoenix Open. Despite this, Horschel’s had some strong showings, and fans will be looking forward to his return to competition in late summer or early fall.
Maverick McNealy
Maverick McNealy is one of the top players missing from the field of the Memorial Tournament for unknown reasons. The golfer’s performance this year so far has been a mixed bag, but he’s definitely shown some impressive skills. McNealy has had three top 10 finishes, including a runner-up spot at The Genesis Invitational, where he really brought his A-game, and two T3 finishes at the Valero Texas Open and RBC Heritage – those were some solid tournaments. He’s also had a T9 finish at the WM Phoenix Open. Of course, it’s not all been smooth sailing; McNealy has missed the cut three times this year, including at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship, where things didn’t quite go his way. Despite those setbacks, McNealy’s still got a lot of talent and experience under his belt, and he’ll be looking to make a great showing at the upcoming major – fingers crossed he’ll bring his best game.
With these players out of the field, who do you think will win the tournament? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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