Who won the first Memorial Tournament in 1976?

Roger Maltbie won the first Memorial Tournament in 1976.

The inaugural Memorial was staged at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a course designed by tournament founder Jack Nicklaus. Maltbie finished the 72 holes at even-par 288 and then defeated Hale Irwin in a four-hole aggregate playoff.

The playoff became part of the tournament’s early lore. On the third extra hole, Maltbie’s approach appeared headed toward the gallery but struck a post and bounced onto the green. Both players made par there, and Maltbie won on the fourth playoff hole with a birdie.

The Memorial was created by Nicklaus as a prestigious event honoring significant figures in golf and beyond. Jack Nicklaus himself later won the tournament in 1977, but he was not the inaugural champion. Hale Irwin was the runner-up, while Tom Watson and Nicklaus were among the other famous names associated with the event’s early history.