FREE 05/29 PGA Cheat Sheet: Memorial Tournament DFS Plays

The Memorial Tournament kicks off soon at Muirfield Village, bringing together a strong field of 72 golfers, including nearly all the top 25 in the world except Rory McIlroy. This is a tough course that rewards accuracy and solid approach play more than distance, which means rostering players who excel in strokes gained: approach and around-the-green is key. The average salary sits around $7,494 with only one player expected to be highly owned (20%+), so differentiating your lineup won’t be easy. There aren’t many strong value plays this week either—no clear underpriced options offering big value with a high cut rate—so balance and smart salary allocation will be crucial.

With just the top 50 plus ties making the cut, it’s tempting to mix in some mid-range or lower-priced players who can sneak through and boost your lineup’s upside. Defending champ Scottie Scheffler leads an elite group that includes Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, and Patrick Cantlay. Weather looks mostly stable but windy, which could shake things up on this demanding layout with fast bentgrass greens and tricky pin placements late in the round. Let’s dive into our top plays for this slate.

Premium Plays ($10,000+)

Top Play: Scottie Scheffler ($13,300)

Scottie Scheffler’s recent form and course history make him a reliable play at the Memorial Tournament. He’s coming off a win at the PGA Championship and finished fourth last week, showing strong ball-striking with top-10 ranks in SG: Approach and Off-the-Tee despite some weakness around the greens and putting. As the defending champion at Muirfield Village, his accuracy off the tee and approach game fit this course well, which supports his solid make-cut percentage of 78.4% and overall consistency.

At $13,300, Scheffler carries one of the highest ownership shares in the field at 41.7%, but that chalk appears justified given his value (6.64x) and optimal lineup percentage (24.4%). His recent results and course familiarity give him a high floor, making him a strong anchor option in lineups even if you want to differentiate elsewhere. The combination of form, fit, and scoring upside makes him difficult to fade despite elevated rostership.

Other Premium Options

• Justin Thomas ($10,100, MakeCut: 60.5%, Own: 16.2%)
• Xander Schauffele ($10,900, MakeCut: 62.2%, Own: 19.7%)

Mid-Range Plays ($8,000-$9,999)

Top Play: Sepp Straka ($8,800)

Sepp Straka’s recent form makes him a strong option at the Memorial Tournament. He just won the Truist Championship with solid scrambling and putting, showing he can perform under pressure. His make-cut rate sits around 57%, which is decent for maintaining cash equity, and his approach play has been a strength recently—an important factor on a course that rewards precise iron shots.

At $8,800, Straka offers good value with nearly 8x return on salary and ranks 33rd in this field’s model. His projected ownership of 17% is above average but justified given his recent results and course fit. The combination of form, cut equity, and scoring upside makes him an appealing play in both cash games and tournaments where you want some leverage without too much risk.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Collin Morikawa ($9,900, MakeCut: 63.9%, Own: 17.5%)
• Tommy Fleetwood ($9,400, MakeCut: 58.4%, Own: 17.7%)

Value Plays ($7,000-$7,999)

First Value Play: Aaron Rai ($7,600)

Aaron Rai’s game suits Muirfield Village well, especially with his strong ball striking. He ranks 19th on Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green this season, which is key given the course’s emphasis on approach shots and precision off the tee. Although he missed the cut at Colonial by one shot, he gained over three strokes ball striking there, indicating his core game remains solid even if putting has been a recent issue. His prior Memorial appearances (T26 and MC) show some familiarity but not a standout history yet.

At $7,600, Rai offers solid value with an 8.63x return and a cash rank of 6 for this field. His make-cut rate is just over 50%, so he carries some risk, but his consistent ball-striking and ability to contend in tougher setups make him worth consideration in all formats. The moderate ownership around 13% reflects reasonable respect without pushing him into chalk territory, making him a balanced option who can fit well alongside higher-priced studs.

Second Value Play: J.J. Spaun ($7,500)

J.J. Spaun offers solid value at $7,500, especially given his recent form and course fit. He’s made 50% of cuts this season with four top-10s, showing he can score when things click. His strong ball-striking and scrambling ability stood out at Colonial, where he gained strokes across the board and converted 20 of 27 scrambling chances. The Memorial’s demand for precise iron play and short-game touch aligns well with Spaun’s strengths, making him a reliable mid-tier option.

His projected ownership sits just above field average at 12.3%, which seems reasonable considering his fourth-place cash rank and current FedExCup standing (12th). While not a standout chalk play, Spaun’s combination of consistent scoring, good recent finishes, and course fit justify his roster share in GPPs or cash games where you want some balance without overpaying.

Other Value Options

• Denny McCarthy ($7,900, MakeCut: 49.9%, Own: 9.7%)
• Harris English ($7,800, MakeCut: 49.4%, Own: 10.3%)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!