DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) - Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the Memorial because of mental fatigue.
Mickelson opened with a 79, his worst score in his 12 appearances at Muirfield Village. He says a trip to Europe to celebrate his wife's 40th birthday, and then returning home for a corporate outing and the pro-am took a lot out of him. With the U.S. Open in two weeks, Mickelson says he's thinking "big picture" by going home to rest for a few days.
The four-time major champion believes it's a responsibility for a player to finish a tournament. He says he's overruling himself in this case.
It's the first time Mickelson has withdrawn without physical injury. The last time he left a tournament early was at the Memorial four years ago because of a wrist injury.
Associated Press