They call it "the house that Jack built."
Much like how Donald Ross tinkered with Pinehurst No. 2 all his life, The Golden Bear has continued to tweak and enhance his home course in the state where he was born, the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, near Columbus. Host of The Memorial since 1976, Muirfield Village has become one of the top stops on the PGA Tour. In advance of the 2020 tournament, he added three new back tees and bunkers in fairway landing zones on five holes as well.
Muirfield was the dream of Nicklaus dating back six decades. The land was acquired in 1966. Construction didn't start until 1972. The course, spread across 220 acres, including an 11-acre range, was dedicated on May 27, 1974, with a match between Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. True to form, Nicklaus shot a course-record 66, which stood until 1979.
Since then, many a pro has gone lower, despite the course's ferocious rough and well-guarded greens. There have been so many memorable moments, many involving Tiger Woods, a five-time champion, including a three-peat from 1999-2001.
A Hole-by-Hole Tour of Muirfield Village Golf Club:
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Par 4 | 470 yards
The first green might be the most welcoming at Muirfield Village, site of The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 455 yards
A course scenic view of the second green at Muirfield Village during practice for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 401 yards
The third fairway at Muirfield Village doglegs left. Finding the fairway is critical during The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 3 | 200 yards
The fourth hole at Muirfield Village, site of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 5 | 527 yards
There are multiple tough hole locations on the fifth green at Muirfield Village, site of The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 477 yards
Fans watch the action on the 6th hole at Muirfield Village during The 2011 Memorial. Fred Vuich/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images -
Par 5 | 563 yards
Bunkers surroundf the seventh green at Muirfield Village during the 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 3 | 185 yards
Bubba Watson tees off on the 8th hole at Muirfield Village during the final round of The 2014 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Chris Condon/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 412 yards
The ninth green at Muirfield Village, site of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 471 yards
Jamie Lovemark tees off on the 10th hole at Muirfield Village during the third round of The 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 5 | 567 yards
The 11th fairway at Muirfield Village snakes through the trees during The 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 3 | 184 yards
The 12th hole at Muirfield Village, site of The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 455 yards
The 13th green at Muirfield Village, site of The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 363 yards
Even pros have a hard time hitting the 14th green at Muirfield Village during The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 5 | 529 yards
An aerial view of the 15th green at Muirfield Village during The 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 3 | 201 yards
A scenic view of the 16th green at Muirfield Village for The 2017 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Keyur Khamar/US PGA TOUR -
Par 4 | 478 yards
Tiger Woods hits his third shot on the 17th hole at Muirfield Village during the second round of The 2015 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Andy Lyons/Getty Images -
Par 4 | 484 yards
The final group of Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay and Kyle Stanley putt on the 18th green at Muirfield Village during the final round of the 2018 Memorial Tournament. Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images