Canada’s Nick Taylor delivers a flawless round at the Memorial, sharing the lead with Ben Griffin after battling tough rain at Muirfield Village.
Nick Taylor Delivers a Flawless Round at the Memorial
Canadian golfer Nick Taylor put on an impressive show at the Memorial Tournament, finishing Friday’s round with a bogey-free 4-under 68 to tie for the lead with American Ben Griffin. Despite challenging rainy conditions at Muirfield Village in Ohio, Taylor’s steady play and sharp putting kept him at the top of the leaderboard.
Battling the Elements
Taylor, an Abbotsford, B.C. native, faced the worst of the weather but drew on his experience from his college days in Washington. “It was a clean card, which was not necessarily what I expected,” Taylor said, noting the difficulty of the conditions. “But it was nice to keep it as simple as possible.” His ability to stay calm and avoid mistakes set him apart on a day when many struggled to keep up.
Griffin, Scheffler, and the Chasing Pack
Ben Griffin matched Taylor’s 7-under total after a steady round, benefiting from softer course conditions as the rain eased in the afternoon. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, stayed close with a 2-under total after missing several birdie opportunities and finding trouble on the back nine.
Canadians in Contention
Several Canadians made their mark:
- Mackenzie Hughes sits tied for 12th at even par.
- Taylor Pendrith is tied for 18th at 1-over.
- Corey Conners and Adam Hadwin also made the cut, though further down the leaderboard.
Drama at the Cut Line
The Memorial’s tough setup and relentless rain pushed the cut line to 5-over par, the highest since 2012. Notable names like Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth had to scramble to secure weekend play. Spieth’s adventurous par save on the 11th, involving a penalty drop and a gutsy flop shot, was a highlight of the day.
Looking Ahead
With only 11 players under par and the rough playing especially thick, the Memorial is shaping up to be a true test ahead of the U.S. Open. Taylor’s disciplined approach and ability to thrive in tough conditions have put him in prime position heading into the weekend, giving Canadian fans plenty to cheer for as the tournament continues.
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