Memorial Tournament 2012: Phil Mickelson Withdraws After First-Round 79

Phil Mickelson jumped on his jet on Thursday evening and flew out of Columbus.

He had just shot a first-round 79 at a challenging Muirfield Village Golf Club and was 13 shots behind leader Scott Stallings.

Mickelson cited “mental fatigue.”

He made double bogey at the par-four No. 2 on his way to a one-over-par 37 on the front nine. 

He added another double at the par-three No. 16 and played seven holes, Nos. 12-18, at seven-over-par and turned in an ugly 42 on the back nine.

Phil Mickelson is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. 

He has won 40 PGA Tour events and four major championships.

He has spent countless hours signing autographs and helped raise millions of dollars for charity.

He is an all around good guy.

To withdraw from Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament after a poor first round is more than just a little irresponsible.

You will probably not read much about Mickelson’s withdrawal in the national golf media because Phil is such a good guy and has built up plenty of goodwill among the golf beat writers.

It's possible that he may be making a statement to the PGA Tour about the misuse of cell phones on the golf course by the golf fans at tour events.

Message received, Phil.

Couldn't you have just texted?