Scottie Scheffler fends off Collin Morikawa challenge to win at the Memorial

World number one Scottie Scheffler warmed up for next week's US Open with his fifth victory of the year at the Memorial Tournament but was pushed all the way by fellow two-time major winner Collin Morikawa.

The pair enjoyed a tense battle down the stretch separated by no more than two shots but it took a characteristic nerveless up and down from the back of the 18th green for Scheffler to close out a one-stroke victory with his opponent poised to force a play-off.

Scheffler's fist pump after holing from inside five feet, becoming the fastest player to five wins in a season since Tom Watson in 1980, showed how much pressure he had been put under.

"It's pretty amazing. I feel like I've had some close calls in this tournament," the American, who remarked on a "pretty surreal moment" to shake the hand of tournament host Jack Nicklaus after victory, said in his post-round interview at Muirfield Village.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

"This is a tough place to close it out as you saw today, the course is playing so tough: firm and fast.

"Sixteen, 17 and 18 were playing really tough. It was a fun test of golf and I like it when it is hard.

"I didn't really do a whole lot great today but enough to get the job done."

Rory McIlroy's preparations for the US Open at Pinehurst did not go to plan after starting the day out of contention eight off the lead but looking for something positive to take into next week.

After a birdie and a bogey on the front nine to turn in level par, he had three bogeys and a double-bogey seven after hitting it in the water at the 11th in his next five holes on his way to a four-over 76 which left him two over in a share of 15th.

Seamus Power finished on five over in a share for 27th after a 77, while Shane Lowry struggled