Memorial Tournament 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Friday’s Action at Muirfield Village

Alright, let’s talk golf. The Memorial Tournament is in full swing, and Friday’s second round at Muirfield Village is shaping up to be a damn good show. You don’t want to miss any of the drama, the birdies, or the bogeys, right? We’ve got you covered. This is your playbook to catch all the action, from the early morning tee-offs to the prime-time TV slots. No more scrambling for info. We’ll break down exactly where to watch, who’s playing, and what you need to know to stay locked in.

After the dust settled on Thursday, we’ve got a tight leaderboard. Some big names are in the mix, and some familiar faces are looking to make a charge. We saw some solid rounds, and yeah, a few that probably made players want to throw their clubs into the nearest water hazard. That’s golf, though, isn’t it? It’s the rollercoaster. This tournament, with a hefty $20 million purse, is always a major event, and the competition is fierce. So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how you can follow all the action on Friday.

Who’s Leading the Pack? The Thursday Recap

So, how did we get here? Thursday saw a real logjam at the top. We’ve got a four-way tie for the lead, and some seriously good players in that group. Former U.S. Open champs J.J. Spaun and Wyndham Clark both fired impressive five-under 67s. They’re not messing around. Joining them at the top is World No. 8 Tommy Fleetwood, who managed to navigate the course with zero bogeys. Zero. That’s damn impressive. And let’s not forget Ryan Gerard, who also found himself at five-under.

Now, what about the guys you might expect to be up there? Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth didn’t have their absolute best days, but they both managed to get into red numbers, heading into Friday at one-under. Solid, but they’ve got work to do if they want to contend. And then there’s World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Yeah, the guy who’s won the last two Memorial Tournaments. He had a bit of a rough go on Thursday, finishing at one-over 73. That’s not ideal for him, but with three rounds left, he’s certainly not out of it. This is the Memorial, after all. Anything can happen.

Your Friday Viewing Schedule: TV and Streaming Deets

Okay, this is the important part. You want to watch, you need to know where to tune in. For Friday’s second round, you’ve got a couple of solid options. If you prefer good old-fashioned television, you can catch the action on Golf Channel . They’ll be broadcasting starting at 2 p.m. ET and going until 6 p.m. ET. That gives you a good chunk of the afternoon to watch the leaders make their move.

But what if you want to get in on the action earlier, or catch those featured groups? That’s where PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ comes in. This is your go-to for early streaming coverage. They kick things off bright and early at 7:45 a.m. ET on Friday. Plus, they’ll have featured group and featured hole coverage, so you can follow your favorite players or specific moments on the course. And for those who like to keep it digital, The GOLF App will be simulcasting the Golf Channel’s TV coverage. So, no excuses. You can watch it on your TV, stream it on your phone, or catch the simulcast. Whatever works for you.

Round 2 Tee Times: Who’s Up First?

The early birds get the worm, or in this case, the early tee times. The first groups are heading out before the sun is even fully up. It’s a long day of golf, and the pairings are set. Let’s look at some of the early starters and some of the marquee groups heading out later in the day.

Things get underway at 7:45 a.m. ET from Tee No. 1 with Tom Hoge and Alex Noren. Not exactly household names for everyone, but they’re out there grinding. Then, at 7:55 a.m., we’ve got Patrick Rodgers and Nicolai Højgaard. Keep an eye on Tony Finau, who tees off at 8:15 a.m. alongside Taylor Pendrith. He’s always a threat to go low.

Later in the morning, around 9:50 a.m., we see Gary Woodland and Patrick Cantlay. Cantlay is always a contender. Then, at 10:10 a.m., get ready for a big one: Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Åberg. Schauffele is playing some of the best golf out there, and Åberg is a rising star. This is a group you’ll want to follow.

And speaking of stars, Scottie Scheffler tees off at 10:25 a.m. with Aaron Rai. Can he turn his tournament around after that opening round? We’ll have to watch. Min Woo Lee and Mac Meissner are out at 10:45 a.m.

As the day progresses, we get into some of the afternoon action. Jason Day and Jordan Spieth, two fan favorites, are paired together at 11:15 a.m. That’s a group that’s sure to draw a crowd, even if they aren’t leading the pack right now. Billy Horschel and Sam Stevens go off at 11:25 a.m.

Then, as we move towards the prime-time TV window, the pairings get even more interesting. Keep an eye on J.T. Poston and Ryo Hisatsune at 11:40 a.m. Andrew Novak and Hideki Matsuyama are out at 12:20 p.m. Matsuyama is always a threat when he’s playing well.

And the big guns? We’ve got some serious firepower lined up. At 12:55 p.m., Akshay Bhatia and Sam Burns. Then, at 1:05 p.m., the co-leaders Wyndham Clark and J.J. Spaun tee off together. That’s a featured group you won’t want to miss. Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler, two veterans who can still compete, are out at 1:15 p.m.

The afternoon continues with Cameron Young and Tommy Fleetwood at 1:25 p.m. Fleetwood is one of those co-leaders, so this is a crucial group to watch. And then, the marquee pairing of the day, at 1:35 p.m.: Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas. These are two of the biggest names in the game, and you know they’ll be playing for pride and position. Finally, wrapping up the early wave of tee times, Kurt Kitayama and Michael Kim at 1:45 p.m., followed by Matt Kuchar and Bud Cauley at 1:55 p.m.

Muirfield Village: A Course That Demands Respect

You can’t talk about the Memorial Tournament without talking about Muirfield Village. This place is a Jack Nicklaus design, and it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a strategic golf course that rewards precision and punishes mistakes. The fairways can be tight, the greens are often undulating, and the rough can be penal. It’s a classic parkland style course, known for its immaculate conditioning and challenging layout.

For the players, it’s a constant test. You can’t just bash it around here. You need to think your way around the course, manage your game, and execute your shots. The par-5s are often reachable for the long hitters, but they’re guarded by hazards. The par-4s offer a variety of lengths and challenges, and the par-3s can be tricky, especially when the wind picks up.

What makes Muirfield Village so special is its history and its reputation. It’s hosted countless major championships and iconic moments in golf. It’s a place where legends are made, and where players have to bring their A-game to have a chance. The greens, in particular, are renowned for their difficulty. They’re often quick, with subtle breaks that can fool even the best putters. So, when you see players making birdies here, you know they’ve earned them.

This course demands respect. It’s not about brute force; it’s about finesse, strategy, and mental fortitude. The players who can stay patient, stick to their game plan, and avoid the big numbers are the ones who will ultimately be in contention come Sunday. Watching how they navigate these challenges is part of the fun. You see players make brilliant recoveries, save pars from impossible situations, and sometimes, just completely blow up. That’s the drama of Muirfield Village.

Key Storylines to Watch on Friday

Beyond just the leaderboard, there are a few storylines that will keep things interesting on Friday. First and foremost, can Scottie Scheffler rebound? He’s the king of this event lately, winning the last two. If he can find his rhythm and start making some birdies, he’s still very much in the hunt. Don’t ever count him out. His opening 73 is a blip, not a full stop.

Then there’s the battle at the top. Can the co-leaders hold their nerve? J.J. Spaun and Wyndham Clark have shown they can play well, but can they maintain that intensity for three more rounds? Tommy Fleetwood’s bogey-free round was impressive; can he keep that clean sheet going? And Ryan Gerard, is he going to be a contender or just a guy who had a great first round? It’s always fascinating to see if these players can handle the pressure of leading a PGA Tour event.

We also need to keep an eye on the chase pack. Guys like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are lurking. They’re not in the lead, but they’re close enough to make a significant move if they get hot. Their experience and talent mean they can never be underestimated. Imagine a scenario where one of them catches fire on Friday – that would electrify the tournament.

And what about the players who just missed the cut line on Thursday, or those who are just on the edge? Friday is moving day, but it’s also survival day for some. The cut line will be a major talking point as the day progresses. We’ll see players battling not just for position, but for the chance to play on the weekend. That kind of pressure can lead to some unexpected results.

Finally, we’re always looking for those breakout performances. Is there a young player who’s going to put themselves on the map? Or a veteran who’s found their game again? The Memorial Tournament has a history of producing memorable performances, and Friday is often where those stories start to take shape. So, keep your eyes peeled for who might be making a charge that nobody saw coming. The beauty of golf is that it’s always full of surprises.

So there you have it. Your guide to Friday’s action at the 2026 Memorial Tournament. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the golf. It’s going to be a good one.