One of Jack Nicklaus’s most prestigious creations, the Memorial Tournament, has long stood as a pillar of the golf calendar. Set to take place from May 29 to June 1 at Muirfield Village in Ohio, it is one of the three player-hosted signature events, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Genesis Invitational being the other two. This time, the Memorial Tournament will see the top 25 players of the world’s best golfers, alongside others who earned access to the tournament through different eligibility pathways.
With a limited field size of 72, the Memorial Tournament will see the winner taking home about $4 million from the $20 million purse and 700 FedExCup points. As the PGA Tour’s Signature Events continue to redefine the landscape of professional golf, questions persist about traditional tournament structures. With the Memorial Tournament getting closer, a question remains: Is there a cut at the Memorial Tournament this year?
Well, yes, the Memorial Tournament remains one of the few Signature Events that still features a 36-hole cut, along with ties, plus any player who is within 10 shots of the lead. The other two tournaments that have a similar cut are the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
4 sleeps away #theMemorial pic.twitter.com/EjBgpJkSAT
— the Memorial (@MemorialGolf) May 22, 2025
The cut adds pressure, and it is part of what makes players champions, bringing out their best skills on the course. Also, the cut adds drama and significance to the second round of the tournament, where even the smallest errors on the course can cost players a chance to continue into the weekend. It’s an opportunity for fans to witness some of the world’s best golfers compete head-to-head.
While this is usually the format for most events on the Tour, some Signature events do not have a cut and see all players in the field participating on all four days. This usually has an impact on how players plan to strategize their game, as they might approach it differently.
How does the Cut change player strategy at the Memorial Tournament?
Having a 36-hole cut adds a layer of risk to the players’ strategy. Being a ‘legacy’ event, along with the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, top players like Scottie Scheffler would want to stay sharp and focused right from day 1. It’s not just about scoring well, but also doing it on the first two days to make sure you see the weekend.
You see, at a no-cut event, you have time to recover from your errors on the weekend, but in an event like this, there’s no easing into it — you have to bring intensity from the start. This adds on to pressure, which may bring out aggressive play in some players and test their mental resilience and shot-making skills under early pressure.
Attacking the pins and using out-of-the-box strategies, which they might usually hold back on, might help players stay ahead of the cut. While aggressive play has seen its rewards, staying consistent and capitalizing on scoring opportunities is also important to avoid trouble on the course. With the tournament teeing off Thursday at Muirfield Village, all eyes will be on whether the game’s elite can navigate not only the iconic layout but also the pressure of making the weekend.
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