Phil's gone, Tiger and Rory climb back at Memorial

[frankie]

Cant let it bother you

DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) It was a strange day of rises, falls and departures at the Memorial Tournament.
Phil Mickelson played 18 holes, said he was tired and withdrew, while his playing partners blamed fans with cellphone cameras. Four-time winner Tiger Woods was in his accustomed spot near the top of the leaderboard despite a double-bogey, while Rory McIlroy weathered an embarrassing quadruple-bogey.
And the best rounds of the day at the star-studded tournament - featuring seven of the top 10 players in the world - were put up by Scott Stallings, Erik Compton and Spencer Levin, who have a grand total of one PGA Tour win.
The biggest news was that Mickelson shot a 79 and then told playing partners Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson that he was going home because he was mentally drained after a hectic past few weeks that included taking his wife, Amy, to Italy and France for her 40th birthday.
''I've got to be more big picture-oriented and think about the U.S. Open (in two weeks at Olympic) and what's best to get my best golf out there, and I need the next few days to rest up a bit,'' Mickelson said, offering regrets he wasn't living up to his ''responsibility'' to finish the tournament.
The 79 was his worst round ever at the Memorial. He declined to say whether he was bothered by distractions on the course.
But Watson and Fowler laid the blame for his withdrawal on fans who continually distracted Mickelson by snapping photos with cellphone cameras.
''Phil's a great player and a great champion and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cellphones can make or break a championship,'' said Watson, who shot a 75.
Watson said the tour rule on cellphone cameras isn't working. Fans are allowed to have them on the course if they are put on vibrate and used only in specific areas.
''It makes it very difficult,'' he said. ''Ever since they made that rule that cell phones are allowed, it's just not fun playing.''
Fowler, the third member of the marquee threesome that was followed by a huge gallery, said the clicks and snaps of the phone cameras affected Mickelson in particular.
''There were a few phones out there,'' he said with a grin. ''There were a few times when we had to back off and reset. You could see Phil was a little fatigued and was having trouble blocking it out a bit.''
Stallings shot a 6-under 66 for a one-stroke edge on Compton and Levin. Seven players were at 69, with Woods and Ernie Els among the crowd at 70. World No. 1 Luke Donald, McIlroy and Fowler were in the group at 71. Defending champ Steve Stricker bogeyed his last three holes for a 73.

[gulfcoastplayer]

Sounds like Phil just had a meltdown. I think we see a no name win this week. But I'm sure the golfing world is praying for Tiger to be relevant. As long as he is in the top 20 they can keep him in the headline.

[gulfcoastplayer]

Tiger is still within striking distance, but after those 4 bogeys yesterday I still don't think he has a "4 day" game. I'm curious to see if Ricky Fowler makes a move today. He has been playing very well recently.

[frankie]

Yea your right about Fowler he seems to be in it week after week

[gulfcoastplayer]

Tiger is -3 after 6 and tied for 2nd. We jinxed Fowler. He is +3 after 6.

[gulfcoastplayer]

Tiger gets the win, great day on the links!