Story byThe Columbus Dispatch

Why are players wearing yellow ribbons during the Memorial Tournament?

Dan Aulbach, Columbus DispatchSun, June 7, 2026 at 10:27 AM UTC·2 min read

If you're headed to Muirfield Village Golf Club for the final day of the Memorial Tournament on June 7, you'll see a lot more yellow than usual.

And you're encouraged to wear yellow yourself.

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It's all to support “Play Yellow,” a program of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to support local children's hospitals, including Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Here is why many people will be wearing yellow at Muirfield Village:

Why yellow ribbons at the 2026 Memorial Tournament?

The "Play Yellow" idea was inspired by Jack Nicklaus, the Memorial Tournament founder. Nicklaus wore yellow shirts in the final round of tournaments.

According to the tournament website, he wore yellow to honor Craig Smith, who was the son of a close friend. Craig Smith died in 1971 at age 13 from bone cancer.

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

Patrons take cover during a weather delay during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 6, 2026. Lightning and rain stopped play. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

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See highlights from third round of Memorial Tournament golf

What do the yellow ribbons mean at the 2026 Memorial Tournament final rounds?

On the final day of the Memorial Tournament, many golfers and tournament attendees will wear yellow and don yellow ribbons to raise money for Nationwide Children's Hospital.

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The “Play Yellow” theme, according to the Memorial Tournament website, is inspired by the yellow shirts Jack Nicklaus wore during the final round of tournaments. He wore yellow to honor Craig Smith, the son of a close friend who fought bone cancer and died at 13 in 1971.

The “Play Yellow” campaign invites Memorial Tournament fans and players to do the following to help raise money for the Children's Miracle Network hospitals:

• All donations made during the Memorial will go toward multiple initiatives at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Wear yellow for Sunday’s final round

• Purchase special Play Yellow merchandise

• Donate at concession stands or within the golf shop

How can I donate to the Memorial Tournament's Play Yellow campaign?

Donations can be made at  playyellow.org. 

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why are players wearing yellow ribbons at the Memorial Tournament?