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2021 Memorial Tournament: With Rahm Out, Who Can Win?

By Tim Letcher

DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 05: Collin Morikawa of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 05, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 05: Collin Morikawa of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 05, 2021 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The winner of the 2021 Memorial Tournament seemed to be a foregone conclusion through three rounds. Jon Rahm was playing fantastic golf and had gotten to 18-under par through 54 holes, building a six-shot lead with just one round to play.

Rahm, the defending champion at Jack Nicklaus’ event in Central Ohio, was well on his way to repeating. He was about to become the first repeat winner in 20 years. The last player to do it was Tiger Woods, whose run of three in a row finished in 2001.

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However, fate struck Rahm with a deft blow on Saturday. Following his round, Rahm was informed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and that he would be forced to withdraw from this week’s event. What should have been a coronation for a repeat champion on Sunday has now turned into a competition.

With Rahm now out of the picture, a number of players are in contention at Muirfield Village.

With one round left to play, a pair of players who have previously won at Muirfield are tied for the lead. Patrick Cantlay won the Memorial in 2019 and, at 12-under par, finds himself with a share of the 54-hole lead this year.

Also, at 12-under par is Collin Morikawa. While Morikawa has never won the Memorial, he has won at this venue before. Last year, the Workday was played one week before the Memorial and Morikawa rallied to catch, and eventually beat, Justin Thomas.

If Cantlay and Morikawa come back to the field, there are a pair of players sitting three shots off the lead who could easily take advantage. Both Branden Grace and Scottie Scheffler are 9-under par and three shots back. Scheffler would be even closer if not for hitting a ball in the water and making a double bogey on the 16th hole on Saturday.

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Max Homa sits six shots back and is probably the only other player in contention.

Rahm’s demise is good news for these players, who would have been playing for second had the Spaniard been allowed to play on Sunday.

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