DUBLIN, Ohio - Scott Stallings made one of only four birdies on the 18th hole at Muirfield Village for a 6-under 66 and a 1-stroke lead in the Memorial.
Considering everything else that went on Thursday, that was barely worth noting. One shot behind was Erik Compton, who has had two heart transplants.
Rory McIlroy made a quadruple bogey on his third hole and wondered if he was headed for another missed cut. He made a strong recovery for a 71.
Tiger Woods, in the midst of his worst stretch as a pro, overcame a double bogey on the 18th for a 70.
The biggest surprise was Phil Mickelson. He shot a 79, then withdrew saying he was fatigued and needed rest before the U.S. Open.
Mickelson said it was more important for him to be rested for the U.S. Open in two weeks than to finish Jack Nicklaus' tournament. He attributed the fatigue to playing three straight weeks, and then going to Europe to celebrate his wife's 40th birthday.
It's not unusual for players to withdraw after a high score but it's rare when the player is of Mickelson's stature.
SAO PAULO - Rio 2016 organizers won a legal dispute when a judge decided not to annul contracts and block construction on disputed land for the Olympic golf course to be designed by Gil Hanse, president and principal architect of Hanse Golf Course Design in Malvern.
The judge ruled that the current owner can use the area while a higher court decides on the ownership. The lawyer for Elmway Participacoes said Thursday he will appeal.
