Xander Schauffele has had his say on the 16th hole at Muirfield Village Golf Club ahead of this week’s Memorial Tournament.
The 2024 PGA Championship winner is in action for the first time since his triumph at Valhalla and is among a stacked field that has gathered in Dublin.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Viktor Hovland and in-form Rory McIlroy are just some of the other high-profile names set to compete at Jack Nicklaus’ event.
Typically one of the sterner tests of golf on the PGA Tour roster, the Memorial is the perfect preparation for the U.S. Open, which gets underway at Pinehurst No.2 on June 13.
Xander Schauffele reacts to changes to hole 16 at Muirfield Village Golf Club
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The par-three 16th at Muirfield Village has typically been one of the toughest short holes on the PGA Tour.
Coming in at 220 yards, the second hardest hole on the course challenged players over water in years gone by.
However, immediately after the 2023 edition, the front right bunker was removed – a change Schauffele believes has made the course fairer.
“I think it’s more fair now,” he explained. “Taking that bunker out has allowed you to be as defensive as you like without laying up with a 50-yard pitch shot.”
The American predicted that a lot of players would now opt to go right and avoid the water.
He added: “I think you are going to see a lot of balls end up in that little area there, especially with those front two pins. I think it’s more fair.”
Brilliant risk-reward hole at Muirfield Village Golf Club
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The removal of the front right bunker has added a whole new dynamic to the 16th. Players can now play safe and almost accept that they will be scrambling for par or take on the water and risk a penalty shot.
Beforehand, there was no real option to play conservatively.
Even the toughest course, like Memorial, needs some level of forgiveness. Allowing a bail-out shot gives even the world’s best a decision to make in the most pressurised moments and adds to the spectator experience.
If the organisers opt to place a back left or middle left pin in play on Sunday, there’s no doubt those in the chasing pack will be looking to take on the water in search of a much-needed birdie.
Patrons in need of some excitement at Muirfield Village would be wise to find themselves a good spot just off the 16th green, particularly down the stretch this week.
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