Entrepreneur and former DOGE co-lead Vivek Ramaswamy visited the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, using the occasion to highlight the event's economic value to the state and to renew criticism of Ohio's 2020 pandemic-era spectator restrictions.

Context

Ramaswamy posted that the Memorial Tournament generates '$35 million-plus in economic activity every year' and has contributed '$60 million over time to local charities.' He described the event as 'incredibly fun to watch' and said he attended in person. The annual PGA Tour stop is held at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, and was founded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus with a strong emphasis on charitable giving.

The post also took direct aim at a public-health official Ramaswamy called 'Dr. Lockdown,' stating she 'pushed for a spectator ban in 2020 despite the fact that it was an outdoor event.' He added: 'We'll make sure she's never in power again.'

Policy Backdrop

The individual referred to as 'Dr. Lockdown' is widely understood to be Amy Acton, the former Ohio Department of Health director who was the public face of Ohio's early COVID-19 response under Governor Mike DeWine. In March 2020, Ohio issued executive orders restricting mass gatherings and barring spectators from public events as part of the initial pandemic containment effort.

The 2020 edition of the Memorial Tournament proceeded without spectators, a decision that drew criticism from event organisers and local business groups who argued that outdoor golf posed minimal transmission risk. Ramaswamy's post frames the restriction as an example of overreach by public-health authorities, emphasising the outdoor nature of the event as a key distinction.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Memorial Tournament is a significant driver of economic activity for the Dublin and broader Columbus metropolitan area, with local hospitality businesses, hotels, and retailers among the primary beneficiaries of the annual event. Local charities have also relied on the tournament's philanthropic model, which has distributed tens of millions of dollars over its history.

PGA Tour spectators, Ohio small-business owners, and charitable organisations that depend on tournament-linked fundraising are the constituencies Ramaswamy's post most directly addresses. His remarks signal that the economic cost of the 2020 spectator ban remains a live political issue in Ohio, particularly as the state's Republican figures continue to relitigate pandemic-era policy decisions.

What's Next

Ramaswamy's explicit warning — that he will work to ensure the referenced official is 'never in power again' — suggests the issue may feature in future Ohio or national Republican political messaging. His continued public presence at high-profile Ohio events, combined with sharp criticism of past Democratic-aligned public-health figures, points to an ongoing effort to shape the political narrative around pandemic governance ahead of future electoral cycles.