A Bit Disappointed In Phil

I’m normally a big Phil Mickelson fan, but his withdrawal today from the Memorial has me shaking my head. He shot a 79 and then pulled out. If it was for an injury—or even the lingering effects of his arthritis, I’d understand. It appears, however, that he was just tired. Phil had played the Wells Fargo, Players and Byron Nelson back-to-back, then spend a week in Italy and France.

I suppose that a week in Europe could be tiring. I wouldn’t know. I can’t afford those sort of things.

Phil:

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 for me ... I have to look at what’s best for me to play in the U.S. Open, and I’m going to take the new few days to kind of rest up. “I’ll probably go see (teacher) Butch (Harmon) and see if I can get things straightened out.

I feel like it’s the responsibility of a player to see through your commitment and finish the tournament and so forth, 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..

“I’m disappointed with how I played today, but I think I need ... I’ve got to be more big-picture oriented and think about the Open and what’s best to get my best golf out there, and I need the next few days to rest up a bit.

I wonder if he’ll get fined for this by the Tour.