Memorial Photo Caption Fun, Jack And Rory Edition

Screaming out for a Jack thought bubble...Tweeted by Rory:

Video: Muirfield Village's 14th And 18th

Two quick looks at design features that television may not fully capture at Muirfield Village, starting with the 14th hole creek bank that may be overflowing as I post this (yes, a deluge here in Columbus), followed by the 18th hole water hazard.

Memorial: Erik Compton Carrying A Columbus Heart

Steve Elling on Erik Compton's late 67, overshadowed by Phil's WD, comes with a heavy dose of irony for the two-time heart transplant recipient playing in Dublin, a suburb of Columbus.

Four years ago he was on his deathbed in a Miami hospital, awaiting a second donor heart after the one he received at age 12 had all but blown up.

Compton's current heart came from Isaac Klosterman, a 26-year-old Dayton native and Columbus resident who was killed in a cycle crash in Miami.

Compton, whose story has gone global since he's the only sports figure in the world who has undergone two heart transplants, is a rookie on the tour this year after playing his way to the big leagues via the Nationwide Tour. As you might imagine, given the medicine cocktail he consumes everyday, his life isn't exactly predictable.

The first round highlights from the Memorial:

Update on 2012-06-01 12:51 by Geoff

**If you don't know Compton's story or just forgot how amazing it is that he even can play on the PGA Tour, much less fire 67 at Muirfield Village when it's playing tough, I'd point you to two of my favorite reads. There was this March 2009 piece by Steve Elling at CBSSports.com and this September '08 piece from Jim Moriarty of Golf World.

Phil WD's From Memorial Citing Mental Fatigue

Steve Elling on Phil Mickelson's post-79 WD at The Memorial, citing mild burnout from three tournaments in succession followed by an overseas trip to celebrate his wife's 40th birthday.

“I came back and had a Tuesday outing in Long Island, the pro-am, and I think mentally I'm a little bit fatigued,” Mickelson said. “So the course here is in such great shape, it's a beautiful way to get ready for the U.S. Open.

“But I'm hitting it so poorly that I think that for me to I have to look at what's best for me to play in the U.S. Open, and I'm going to take the next few days to kind of rest up.”

Doug Ferguson put the WD, which figures to be criticized by many, into context:

It's not unusual for players to withdraw after a high score - it was Mickelson's worst in the 13 trips to the Memorial - and three other players withdrew Thursday. But it's rare when the player is of Mickelson's stature, a four-time major champion inducted this month into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Steve DiMeglio explains that the WD goes against Mickelson's views on competing.

Mickelson could not think of another time he withdrew without physical injury.

"I feel like it's the responsibility of a player to see through your commitment and finish the tournament and so forth," Mickelson said. "And I'm kind of overruling that just a touch, because I'm trying to think big picture on what's the best way for me to get ready for the Open."

If you are wondering what the tour policy is for a fatigue WD, Jason Sobel explains how the regulations work:

Despite initial thoughts to the contrary, it appears Mickelson will not be subject to punishment from the PGA Tour. According to the 2012 PGA Tour player handbook, Article IV, Section A-8 states: “Fatigue will not be considered a valid reason for withdrawing.” However, this particular rule applies only to players who withdraw after committing to a tournament and prior to beginning the opening round or those who withdraw during a tournament round.

After the completion of a tournament round, no reason for withdrawal is necessary.

Update on 2012-06-01 02:15 by Geoff

**Jim Moriarty added this:

"It has nothing to do with playing poorly and so forth." He mentioned a possible visit to his coach, Butch Harmon, and an early arrival at Olympic Club. "I might go spend a couple days there if I feel up for it the next four or five days," said Mickelson.

Bob Harig notes how quickly Mickelson's round went bad:

Mickelson was at even par after a birdie at the 11th hole but then played the last seven holes in 7 over, with five bogeys and a double bogey. He shot a 42 on the back nine.

It was Mickelson's worst score on the PGA Tour since a 79 at the 2004 Canadian Open.

And Robert Lusetich caught up with tournament host Jack Nicklaus:

Of course, the Golden Bear wasn’t going to make a scene about Mickelson quitting.
He's too classy for that.

"We're sorry that Phil withdrew," Nicklaus said. "He's always a great addition to our field and we look forward to seeing him again next year."

Hopefully, he stays for at least two days.

Video: Jack Nicklaus's Entire Induction Speech For 2012 Memorial Honoree Tom Watson

The sound isn't ideal, but thankfully the Nationwide folks recorded this and posted it in its entirety as you'll see Jack Nicklaus as emotional as you've ever seen him.

Update on 2012-05-31 22:27 by Geoff

**Jim Moriarty and I discussed the Nicklaus/Watson friendship in a Nationwide Digital Media house chat, and here's a highlight...

Video: Keep An Eye On The 16th At Muirfield Village

As I post, Muirfield Village's 201-yard 16th is the second hardest hole with a scoring average of 3.433.

Here's a video attempting to explain why this newish hole continues to play so tough in year two of its existence. Coverage begins at 3 ET on Golf Channel.

Video: Clip Of Jack Getting Very Emotional Over Pal Watson

Talk about a buzzkill, but someone cut from Jack Nickaus--as emotional as you'll ever see him talking about another golfer--to the supremely forgettable speech by Ohio Governor John Kasich--before returning to the eloquent Tom Watson in the below Columbus Dispatch highlight package of today's ceremony for 2012 Memorial honoree Watson.

I Tweeted the event as it happened, and as wonderful as it was, I was stunned to see no active PGA Tour players sitting in on a ceremony involving the greatest ever and one of the all time greats. Even worse, for the "optics" obsessed tour, watching players walking by in the driving range background with a bag of balls in their hand, oblivious to the emotional tributes by two men who I believe have won as many majors as this year's field combined, was, to say the least, bizarre.

Anyway, back to these great champions. Here is a Golf Channel highlight package reported by Whit Watson. And Shawn Mitchell's written account for the Columbus Dispatch blog.

And the video by the Dispatch:

The Memorial and Social Media

If you haven't guessed by the art department's latest creation by now, I'll be on-site at The Memorial Tweeting, hosting chats and offering up some on-site media reports as part of the tournament and new sponsor Nationwide's push to take social media coverage to another level.

If you are on-site, stop by the digital media house near the driving range. We've already had some great guests (video highlights forthcoming), interactive stuff and of course, if nothing else, it's a great place to check your email, send a tweet, charge your phone or take cover for the, uh, rain on the off, off, off, off chance this event gets hit with a freak spring shower.

As for Muirfield Village, I've only had a little time to walk around and Paul B. Latshaw's world-renowned conditioning is as stunning as you expect.

I'll be curious to see how the sophomore year for the par-3 16th--which debuted to player complaints in 2011--goes now that the green is more mature. From the limited number of shots I watched when it was playing downwind in practice, the griping will continue and is justifiable. The green looks like it would be great fun to play to from about 40 yards right of the current tee and from about a yardage 40 yards shorter than the 201 yards it plays as. Other than that, I loved it.

Anyway, tournament updates will be steady all day through Twitter with the usual golf coverage here at the blog.