Jim Furyk has had good fortune at the Memorial Tournament in the past. Sunday that trend continued as he used two chip-in shots to propel himself to a dramatic, emotional victory.

In 1995, Furyk met his wife Tabitha on the practice range at Muirfield.

She is a native of Westerville and is eight months pregnant with her first child.

With his wife and her family’s influence, Jim Furyk is even starting to become a Buckeye fan.

“They are slowly pulling me over,” Furyk said. “I have been coming to quite a few Buckeye games in the fall. I have a lot of scarlet and gray in the closet.”

Despite playing on a course he is so familar with, Furyk was surprised he even had a chance to win.

“I was looking at the board on No. 8 thinking ‘Wow I am only 3 back, and there is a lot of golf left to be played.’ It kind of gets you excited,” Furyk said.

On the 12th hole Furyk was 25 feet behind the flag when he chipped in for birdie and a share of the lead.

He said he thinks the ball would have sailed past the hole at least six to eight feet if it had not gone in the cup.

Then the shot of the tournament took place on the par-5 15th.

Furyk hit his approach shot from the fairway into the right bunker of the hole.

This left him with a tough and fast shot, which he put in the hole for an eagle, nearly clinching the victory.

He was as surprised as anyone that it went in.

“I kind of positioned my head up and saw that it was right on line with the pin,” Furyk said. “So I just waited for a reaction, hoping, and the fans went nuts.”

The emotional part came on the 18th green during the award ceremony.

When attempting to thank Nicklaus, Furyk came up short in the speaking department, and it soon became clear to everyone in attendance that the newly-crowned champion was overcome with emotion.

Afterwards Furyk commented on the special moment.

“To win Jack’s tournament is pretty special,” he said. “I appreciate all the things Jack has said about me. He has been an idol of everyone’s for so long.”

Tournament favorite Tiger Woods finished a distant 6-under, despite shooting a 66 in the final round.

Coming in a tie for second place in the tournament was former Buckeye John Cook.

Cook had a birdie putt on 18 that came up an inch short, preventing him from claiming second to himself.

The OSU alumnus was appreciative of the support he received on the course.

“It got really vocal out there. It was really fun,” Cook said. “I love this town; I really do.”

Cook finished tied with David Peoples.

After shooting a 71 on Thursday and Saturday, Jack Nicklaus struggled on Sunday and shot a 79 to finish at 7-over par.

“I feel fine; I just wore out,” Nicklaus said. “I never dreamed I was going to be playing on Saturday and Sunday.”

Nicklaus received a standing ovation every day when he walked up the 18th fairway and green, but the loudest cheers came on Sunday.

“I just wanted to get up over the hill,” Nicklaus said. “I think the ovation pushed me over.”

As many as 15 players were in contention to make a run and come away victorious on Sunday.

Five players finished just three shots off the lead.

David Duval made a strong charge shooting a 66 and held the lead until bogeying holes 14 and 15.

Phil Mickelson finished with a late charge as he birdied three of his last five holes. He could have made an even stronger run if not for some missed putts earlier in his round, he said.

“I didn’t putt the ball very well today, but finishing how I did leaves a better taste in my mouth,” Mickelson said.

But at the end of the day, only one golfer was left with the perfect taste in his mouth – Furyk, who will receive a check for $810,000 for coming in first place.

Next year’s tournament will take place a week later than this year’s – May 29 through June 1.