Rickie rates worthy of Open spot
Popular sponsor exemption makes the most of Memorial spot to reach Portrush; Jack has thoughts
Rickie Fowler booked a spot in the Open at Royal Portrush. (Courtesy X)
Scottie Scheffler won again — blah, blah, blah.
The world No. 1 held on for his eighth consecutive victory when leading after 54 holes. He became the first player since Tiger Woods’ three-peat (1999-2001) to repeat as the winner at the Memorial Tournament. He’s really, really good and heads to Oakmont next week ready to be the favorite again having won three of his last four starts.
Blah, blah, blah. Scheffler is inevitable — even with red-hot Ben Griffin on his tale.
Let’s talk about surprising things.
Rickie Fowler — the preferred guest of signature events everywhere — took full advantage of his free pass to the Memorial and earned himself an exemption into July’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Fowler and Brandt Snedeker both gained entry into the seventh signature event of 2025 via a sponsor exemption, and both finished in a five-way tie for seventh place, best among those in the field who were not yet exempt into the British Open. Since Fowler is ranked significantly higher in the Official World Golf Ranking (124th to 430th), he gets the spot via the tiebreaker into the Open as the top finisher not otherwise qualified in the Open Qualifying Series event.
Three other players qualified for the Open via the Mizuna Open on the Japan Tour — winner Mikiya Akutsu and well as Young-han Song and Riki Kawamoto.
“We’re heading the right way, This week still could have been a lot better, but a definite positive is going over to Portrush,” Fowler said. “That’s one I’ve wanted on the schedule.”
In 2019, Fowler finished T6 at Royal Portrush. He hasn’t won since the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic.
“Had a great time when we were there the last time and had a decent showing as well,” Fowler said. “So links golf's my favorite, Portrush is a great spot, so excited for that opportunity.”
Jack gloriously loathes walk-and-talks
There’s real beauty in turning 85 years old and not caring about what might offend someone.
Jack Nicklaus had no qualms ripping the existence of walk-and-talk on-course interviews on the very network that just aired one.
Ben Griffin, who finished runner-up to Scheffler in the Memorial on Sunday, was tied for the lead at the Muirfield Village on Friday when pulled his drive on the par-4 17th into the rough. He then did an on-air interview with Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard on his way to the ball.
Nicklaus, the tournament host, happened to be in the broadcast booth as a guest at that moment. He did not hold back.
“I can’t stand that — the interview on the golf course,” Nicklaus said.
He didn’t stop there.
“Let me tell you how I think, how I feel,” Nicklaus said. “I mean, seriously, here’s a guy who's leading the golf tournament, he’s just hit the edge of the rough, he’s got a very difficult shot on a very difficult hole, and you’re talking to him about stuff that totally takes his mind off of what he was doing.
“How would you think [Ben] Hogan would respond to that question? … You would not have any teeth left if you did. He’d hit you right in the face with it.”
Amen.