Getting Set for a Tiger-less Memorial Tournament

These days, a golf tournament without Tiger Woods is like a Las Vegas trip in a hotel off the Strip.

Sure it will be fun, I'm sure you will round up your fair share of stories, but it will always be missing that little something.

Jack Nicklaus and the crew at Muirfield Village Golf Club are set to host the Memorial Tournament two weeks before the U.S. Open and as tradition, are hearing it from the players about the rough around the course.

Defending champion K.J. Choi, among others, has said the rough is "twice as thick" at some spots around the greens and thinks it will very tough if you miss shots around the putting surface.

Deep rough isn't fun for anyone, but what better way to prepare for a U.S. Open than play an elite golf tournament with thick cabbage that puts a premium on hitting the ball in the fairway. Isn't the best way to practice for a Limbo competition to actually do the limbo?Aside from the rough talk, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els will be headlining a field that should bring a lot of excitement to the Dublin, Ohio area. Nobody likes a golf tournament without Mr. Woods in the field, but a red-hot Mickelson and Sergio notching a big win under his belt earlier this season, Sunday should be equally exciting as years past.

The one thing about this tournament is the lack of no-name winners. Honestly, you'd have to go back to 1992 and Dave Edwards if you were going to call out a name not familiar in golf households nationwide. If you're looking to pick a winner in your local office pool, Choi is never a bad pick. The guy likes the course, has won on it before and is having another great season (won the Sony Open in January and is ninth in the FedEx Cup Standings).

The Memorial is great for many reasons, but bringing another name in the Torrey Pines discussion might be the best.