Outstanding tournament with an excellent field this week at Jack’s tournament in Dublin, Ohio, just outside of Akron. Who wouldn’t want to compete in this one with this field and the prestige that comes with winning the course that the greatest player in golf history built. People can say all they  want about Tiger Woods, but Jack has the record for winning the most majors; he’s the best of all time in my book. Here’s a look at this highly prestigious tournament at  Muirfield Village  Golf Club.
Muirfield Village Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus designer); 7,352 yards, Par 72

Defending champion: Matt Kuchar

Purse: $6,200,000; Winner’s share: $1,116,000

TV coverage: Golf Channel and CBS. Jim Nantz, Sir Nick and Feherty among others on the call on Saturday and Sunday for CBS. Sir Nick on the Golf Channel Thursday and Friday.

TV times: Thursday-Friday: Golf Channel: 2:30-6:30 PM ET/1:30-5:30 CT.

Saturday and Sunday: Golf: 12:30-2:30 PM ET/11:30-1:30 CT Saturday;  12-2 PM ET/11 AM-1 PM CT on Sunday.

CBS: Saturday: 3-6 PM ET/2-5 CT; Sunday: 2:30-6 PM ET/ 1:30-5 CT.

Weather: About perfect

Thursday: 79, few showers (30%), no problem, wind NNE 9 MPH.

Friday: Sunny, 81, wind: NNE 9 MPH.

Saturday: Partly Cloudy, 82, 10% chance rain, wind NE 6 MPH.

Sunday: Sunny, 85, wind SSE 6.

Featured groups:  Thursday:

8:15 AM ET/7:15 CT: Bubba, Keegan and Furyk;

8:26 AM/7:26 CT: Kuuuch, Justin Rose, Stricker.

1:05 PM ET/12:05 CT: Jordan Spieth, Phil, Bill Haas.

1:16 PM ET/12:16 CT: Adam Scott, Jason Day, Rory.

Key Holes:

No.2: Par 4, 455 yards

The second hardest hole on the course with a creek that runs along the right side of the fairway from 100 yards out and at the backside of the green. If a player hits it too far left off the tee, he will have to deal with trees on his approach. There are bunkers on the front right and back left. The player must drive it to the right side close to the water. Accuracy is at a premium.

No. 4: Par 3, 200 yards

The third hardest hole on the course, this par three is downhill slightly and has a long green which is heavily covered by bunkers on the right side and in the back. The disaster area is the left  of the green with trees and jail in play. This is a strong test of longer iron play.

No.10: Par 4, 471 yards

The fifth hardest hole on the course, sand guards both sides of the driving zone, and there is a large bunker in front of the green that stretches in different directions that threatens an under-hit approach shot. This hole requires length and precision and of course a good putter.

No.12: Par 3, 184 yards

The most picturesque hole on the course, the player’s tee shot is played from the trees, entirely across the water to a two tiered green that in golf terms is “kidney shaped.” Bunkers flank the right front and back left of the green. If a player misses the green he will likely find either sand or water. This is the sixth hardest hole on the course.

No.17: Par 4, 478 yards

This is the fourth hardest hole on the course. Off the tee, there are two bunkers in the fairway that could cause problems for a player’s tee shot. A shorter, lay-up shot off the tee to avoid the bunker, leaves a player with a mid-iron, or, depending on the wind, a long iron approach to the green. The green is slightly elevated and on the edge of a bank above a creek, which, if you catch your approach heavy, could cause problems.There are bunkers on the right side of the green and back left. An approach to the left side of the green gives the player an easier putt.

No.18: Par 4, 484 yards

The hardest hole on the course, the players will have a downhill drive to a large fairway, but bunkers threaten the left corner of the dogleg right. A long drive hit too far left can find the creek or he can find himself blocked by trees on his second shot if he’s too far left. The approach is an uphill across a swale to a large, two-tiered green that has bunkers on the front left, front right, and back left and right. There could be as many as 20,000 spectators at the hole as this tournament draws very well. There will be a lot of pressure and there have been some spectacular finishes on this hole. Will be pressure packed on Sunday and will make for some stellar drama.

Contenders:

Jason Dufner:

Duf is not only playing excellent golf, he’s also not missing too many meals. Lost in a playoff to Adam Scott last week at the Crowne Plaza; Scott claimed the No.1 spot in the world with the victory. Duf is a terrific ball striker and can really knock  it close when he’s clicking. The only issue to me with Duf is, can he make the clutch short putts in crunch time?  He can many times, but he’ll have his occasional hiccups from short range. Like his chances though with his good length and outstanding accuracy. It’ll come down to the putter for Duf.

Justin Rose:

Won here in 2010. Playing pretty well right now and seems to love this course. His length will certainly help. Another guy that, if he can sink putts, which he can be inconsistent at, then he can claim the title. Like his major winning experience at last year’s U.S. This tournament is right there almost with The Players in importance to players after the majors. This is one the guys really want to win.

Kevin Chappell:

Chappell is a 28-year old from Fresno, California, who is making some splashes on the tour. Finished second here last year at -10, two shots behind the winner, Kuchar. Finished tied for 10th last week at the Crowne Plaza in Fort Worth, and is on the verge of capturing a title. Isn’t tearing up the stat sheet, but getting it done. Has a good shot.

Rory:

Rory is coming off an interesting week, where he broke off his engagement to tennis star Carolina Wozniacki, then won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in England in what is considered a major on the European Tour. He looks to be primed to make a run on tour the rest of this season with a major win definitely in sight . He hits it a ton and is pretty accurate, and his approaches are excellent when he’s playing well. So it’ll come down to his putting. Rory’s kind of a streaky putter and when he’s locked in, he can win tournaments with his putter. He’ll be a factor at the Memorial.

The winner:

This young man averages 288 off the tee, which is good enough, as Kuuuch averaged 282 off the tee last year in winning this event. He’s very accurate and his scrambling and putting stats are outstanding. He’s eighth in scrambling, 35th in strokes gained putting– though he was 23rd heading into last week and fell off a little bit at the Crowne Plaza, but  finished T-14 and shot 68 on Sunday. He’s fifth in putts per round (28.14), and fifth in one-putt percentage. I’m expecting this young guy to break out this week at Jack’s tournament. He’s threatened mightily at the Masters and at the Players this season; he was right there on Sunday in both. He plays a lot, which is huge, and I love his mental makeup; he’s tough, controlled and focused. I say this 20-year old phenom from Dallas gets it done this week with his pretty good length, his accuracy in the clutch and his fantastic short game.

Jordan Spieth