Multiple PGA Tour winner withdraws from Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament

The 2026 Memorial Tournament has its first high-profile withdrawal. 

The PGA Tour announced on Friday evening that Norway's Viktor Hovland has pulled out of next week's signature event at Muirfield Village in Columbus, Ohio. 

No reason was given for Hovland's withdrawal, though it may be the case that the 28-year-old's neck injury has flared up again. 

The issue first arose during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black and it forced the golfer to miss the afternoon session on the second day of the matches and controversially sit out the Sunday singles. 

There is a chance that Hovland has decided to spend an extra week getting in some practice ahead of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills over 18-21 June. 

Alternatively, Hovland may have chosen to skip the event for a personal reason. 

Hovland has experienced a mixed campaign so far, making nine cuts in 11 PGA Tour starts, but registering just one top-10 finish - which arrived at his season debut at the WM Phoenix Open in February.

His most recent appearance came at the PGA Championship two weeks ago.

Hovland came into the second men's major of the year expressing optimism that he had finally turned a small corner with his game, but shot rounds of 74-72 at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania to miss the cut by three strokes. 

There is every chance that Hovland isn't actually injured and is spending the next few weeks honing his game. 

In the past, Hovland has said that he prefers to practice rather than play in PGA Tour events when he is not fully confident. 

Two years ago, Hovland admitted that he almost withdrew from the PGA Championship at Valhalla such were his woes. 

He went on to contend for the Wanamaker Trophy, but ultimately finished three strokes behind champion Xander Schauffele. 

Whilst the Memorial will miss Hovland, who is also a past champion of the Golden Bear's tournament, the rest of the field is absolutely stacked. 

Scotte Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Xander Schauffele are just a few of the names who plan on heading to Dublin, Ohio, early next week.

McIlroy is playing the tournament for the first time in two years having skipped last year's event. 

The Northern Irishman took Nicklaus by surprise as he did not give the 18-time major champion a heads up he wasn't even participating. 

Take a look at the full field below: