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Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy endured one of the toughest days of the 2026 Memorial Tournament during Friday’s second round at Muirfield Village. Strong winds and difficult pin positions turned the course into a demanding test that challenged every part of their games.
Thomas fought his way to a three-over-par 75, while McIlroy posted a 74. Both scores reflected how difficult conditions became as the average score for the field climbed above 74. Despite the struggles, both players survived the cut and advanced to the weekend.
Thomas Calls It the Hardest Round He Can Remember
After the round, Thomas offered a candid assessment of the challenge.
“I can’t put into words how hard that was,” Thomas said.
“That was the hardest round of golf that I can remember, major, non-major, it was just insane.”
He explained that the wind behaved differently than expected. Gusts of 20 to 25 miles per hour changed direction throughout the day and made club selection extremely difficult. Many approach shots required players to hit over water, leaving little margin for error.
“You don’t have a bailout on half your shots out here,” Thomas said. “Everybody’s dealing with the same thing, but, man, it was brutal.”
Poston’s 65 Leaves Thomas Amazed
One score stood out above all others. J.T. Poston fired a remarkable seven-under-par 65 while the rest of the field struggled to break par. The next-best score on Friday was 69, which highlighted just how exceptional Poston’s round was.
Thomas admitted that he could barely figure out how to make a single birdie.
“I don’t think I can put into words how good J.T. Poston’s round was today,” Thomas wrote on social media.
“I’m out there trying to figure out where and how I can make one birdie, let alone shooting -7!”
His reaction captured the mood of many players who felt overwhelmed by the course and weather.
The Coin Incident That Happened Twice
Amid the difficult scoring conditions, an unusual moment between Thomas and McIlroy drew attention. For the second consecutive day, Thomas’s ball came to rest directly in front of McIlroy’s coin marker on the green.
Thomas explained that the same sequence happened on Thursday and then repeated itself on Friday.
“It happened yesterday, and then it happened today,” Thomas said. “It will never happen again in my career. It was nuts.”
Golf fans may remember similar rare occurrences in past PGA Tour events, but seeing it happen twice in two rounds between the same players was extraordinary.
Rory’s Running Moment on the 17th Hole
The difficult day also produced a lighter moment. McIlroy had to hurry to catch up with Thomas on the 17th hole, forcing a cameraman to sprint alongside him. The scene quickly became a memorable visual from the round and showed how unusual the pace of play became during the windy afternoon.
A Mutual Hug After the Grind
When the round finally ended, Thomas and McIlroy shared a hug instead of the customary handshake on the 18th green. Thomas later explained that the embrace reflected the emotional toll of the day.
“It was a mutual hug,” Thomas said. “We just looked at each other and I think we both were like, we need a hug.”
He joked that he probably needed it more, but both players understood how hard they had battled through the conditions.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
The Memorial Tournament remains one of the PGA Tour’s premier events because it consistently demands precision, patience, and resilience. Friday’s round at Muirfield Village showcased all three qualities.
McIlroy continued adjusting to equipment changes, including a heavier driver shaft, while Thomas kept grinding through his ongoing return from back surgery. Neither player found his best form, but both stayed in the tournament when many others faltered.
As the weekend begins, Thomas and McIlroy will hope calmer conditions allow them to climb the leaderboard. Friday proved that surviving Muirfield Village can be as impressive as scoring on it.
