DUBLIN, Ohio – The PGA Tour strongly considers moving the Memorial Tournament away from Memorial Day to Father’s Day, as it decides if the event in 2024 should be moved further into June, a week before the U.S. Open.
Jack Nicklaus , the Memorial’s founder and host, said on Sunday: “I would say that it is a very strong possibility.” “I’d prefer to stay right where we are.” “I would prefer to stay where we are.”
Will golfers who are used to the event being held during the traditional Memorial Day Week on the calendar, be as forgiving? It is likely, but there will be some scheduling adjustments. Families who are unable to get away earlier due to school conflicts often start their vacations in the second week of July. This weekend, for example, high-school athletes will compete in the state championships.
Nicklaus emphasized that tournament dates are still fluid and that no final decisions have been made about the Memorial. Tour officials informed him on Wednesday that this was not true. The Golden Bear could still get his wish for the status quo.
He said, “They asked me about it.” “I don’t like it, but I will cooperate with the Tour.”
Nicklaus will not say it out loud, but I am able to. It’s not the end of the world if the Memorial is moved a week later, but it will still stink.
The first issue is how to tie the Memorial Day with the Memorial Day. The tournament has honored golfers who have made a positive impact on the game since 1976. It hasn’t always been the Memorial Day weekend, but I find it annoying that it is now a permanent week later. Plus, it will be even hotter.
Why do you do it? Of course, money. The PGA Tour designated eight tournaments that would offer higher purses. This was mainly to compete with LIV Golf and its Saudi-backed money. The Memorial, as one of eight tournaments to offer higher purses, saw its prize money increase from $12 million last year to $20 million this season.
Many top Tour players are looking for a “flow” in the schedule, meaning that as many events as possible should be scheduled back to back. They do not like the one-on, one-off schedule. The Tour has committed to “bunching up” events in response.
Andy Pazder said that the PGA Tour is also sensitive to non-designated events who worry about getting “lost” in the midst of the more lucrative events. The goal is to keep these full-field tournaments as close together as possible.
Nicklaus gets it.
He said that the issue was not the Memorial, but rather the fact that the Tour may be forced to rework its schedule in order to satisfy both parties – the players and the sponsors of non-designated events.
This would mean that the Memorial will give its current spot on the schedule to a nondesignated event. Perhaps the Rocket Mortgage Classic or Canadian Open in Detroit, and move to June 6-9, 2024, right before the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is immediately followed by a second consecutive designated event. Maybe the Travelers Championship.
This would allow for two or three events that are not designated to be held in consecutive weeks – such as the Colonial, Detroit, Canada and Houston – while bundling three events that are designated after them.
You can understand why Nicklaus wouldn’t like it. The Memorial is a top-tier event that’s only one level below the majors. The Memorial will continue to be highly regarded by players because of Jack’s status in the game, and the $20 million prize, but also risk becoming the opening act for the U.S. Open.
Nicklaus may also be worried that the Memorial will lose top players to a similar mindset as his. This is the idea of resting a week before major championships.
But if the Bear is nervous he won’t show it. Not publicly, at least.
He said, “I don’t believe it will harm the field in any way.”
We will see. The field rarely suffered when the Tour event in Akron was held a week before the PGA Championship. Will the situation be similar here? We can only wish.
Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, doesn’t intend to skip the Memorial Tournament if the U.S. Open follows.
He said, “I like to play the week before majors.” There’s no better method to prepare for a major golf tournament than by playing a tournament.
The Memorial is not just another golf tournament. It deserves respect. What will be the Tour’s purpose? It’s a question I hate to ask.
