But Summerhays played himself out of contention and Rickie Fowler faltered down the stretch, while Dufner carded four birdies after the turn and sealed his first victory since January previous year with a superb putt for par from outside 30 feet at the last.
With bad weather closing in and a host of players throwing their hat in the ring, Dufner found form and surged home on the back nine on Sunday, making four birdies in eight holes between the 10 and 17. He was joined by Jamie Lovemark (69) and Justin Thomas (71).
Fowler, who was 3 over after his opening four holes of the tournament, had a 66 and was at 8-under 136.
The 40-year-old Dufner led after 36 holes before collapsing spectacularly with a 77 on day three before bouncing back with a final-round 68 which took the 2013 US PGA Championship victor to 13 under.
Cleveland native Jason Dufner won the tournament finishing 13 under par.
"I didn't want to leave the course angry", Dufner said.
He stayed in the game during a wild stretch early, and then stroked the ball so pure that he hit every green until the 18th and only once had a birdie putt of more than 12 feet.
Varner aced the 185-yard eighth hole. Fowler was down two on the final hole but missed the green with his approach and was officially done when Dufner drained his par putt.
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It's likely why he was among the few regulars to skate at an optional Penguins practice early in the Stanley Cup final. Rinne, the Predators goaltender who was so brilliant in Nashville, turned back into a pumpkin in Pittsburgh.
Sunday was stressful with multiple delays and plenty of star power atop the leaderboard, but Dufner kept hanging in even when he looked nice and buried.
"I'm trying to think of something smartass to say like he would", Larson said, laughing at the comparison. I just needed to get myself together. There's a lot of things that can happen out there.
"It's paying a little better", Dufner replied. Muirfield Village, known as "Jack's Place", has become one of the most iconic stops on the PGA Tour schedule. No evidence supports this contention, but locals point to the number of weather delays that have plagued the Memorial as evidence of a curse.
Shortly after a delay that lasted more than an hour, however, it was almost anyone's tournament to win with six players battling within one stroke of the lead on the back nine. First at 4:18 p.m. for 77 minutes and again at 6:48 p.m. - also for 77 minutes - with just a half dozen players on the course.
While there was no pressure on the long putt, Dufner sank it anyway. Using his own type of Zen meditation, he started concentrating on his address positions and his breathing. Dufner then took charge.
As I look back on life, this is a moment I'll always cherish and be glad I was present. He tried to play a flawless shot and barely got it out, then chipped down to 5 feet and missed the putt, making double bogey.
Dufner was at 14-under 130, one better than the 36-hole score of Scott Hoch in 1987 and Fowler in 2010. The highlight was a 32 on the back nine that included this 30-foot par at the last.
"I made the swings and couldn't convert and make the birdies", Fowler said. I've been really consistent, a lot of top 25s and a lot of made cuts. "He's one of the best guys I know out here".
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