DEFENDING CHAMPION: American Patrick Cantlay defeated Adam Scott by two shots here last year, reaching 19-under-par, 269.

COURSE: Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1974 and named after Muirfield in Scotland – where he claimed the first of his three Open Championships – Muirfield Village Golf Club has welcomed the PGA Tour since 1976 and has also hosted various Cup events.

The 6,759-metre, par-72 layout is expected to have longer rough, faster greens and more accessible pin positions than last week’s Workday Charity Open.

PRIZEMONEY: US$9,300,000.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Five-time champion Tiger Woods will return to action on the PGA Tour after spending five months on the sidelines, initially due to back issues, which then coincided with the Tour’s three-month coronavirus hiatus.

Woods, whose record five victories came in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009 and 2012, hasn’t played competitively since teaming with former NFL star Peyton Manning for The Match II in May. But the 15-time major champion shouldn’t take too long to click into gear and has always played well at Jack’s Place.

RIGHT: Defending champion Patrick Cantlay claimed his second victory on the PGA Tour at Muirfield Village last year. PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

Former World No.1 Justin Thomas threw away the title here last week during the inaugural Workday Charity Open, bogeying the 16th and 18th holes before losing to Collin Morikawa on the third play-off hole.

The 27-year-old American will be out for redemption and has recorded two additional top-10s in four events since the Tour’s resumption five weeks ago.

Thomas missed the cut at the Memorial last year with rounds of 71 and 80 – but he was T8th in 2018 and T4th in 2017.

72-HOLE RECORD: American Tom Lehman shot 20-under-par 268 to defeat Greg Norman by five shots in 1994.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Greg Norman (1995 & 1990) and David Graham (1980).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Jason Scrivener and Cameron Smith.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4:30am – 8:30am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4:30am – 8:30am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 2:30am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3am – 9am)
*AEST, check local guides