Yesterday was the first round of the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio (just outside of Columbus on the northwest side). It's a popular tournament because it's a Jack Nicklaus founded tournament and designed course. The "home" course for The Golden Bear, so to speak. Steve Stricker won this tournament last year. Tiger won it 3 times in a row from 1999 to 2001 and has a record 4 wins (2009). The worst score to ever win is even par back in the inaugural event in 1976. The best score was 20 under par by Tom Lehman in 1994. As a restricted field event on the PGA Tour, only the first 75 players on the previous year's money-list are guaranteed invites. It's one of 5 events to be given that "invitation status only." It was the first non-major to ever sell out and still does to this day. Since being played the first weekend in June, it's a great tune up for the US Open that follows in two weekends (Father's Day).
CBS will be broadcasting the final 2 rounds. On Saturday catch the action from 3-6pm and on Sunday from 2:30-6pm. Unfortunately Phil Mickelson will not be apart of the action because he withdrew after a 79 Thursday citing mental fatigue. Bold strategy by Lefty, let's see how this one plays out for him.
Each year there is a special honoree at the Memorial and this year it is Tom Watson (T-wat as I call him ha!). All kidding aside, this guy is a legend.
After a minor rain delay this morning, play is resuming at 11:30am local time with yesterday's leader Scott Stallings a -1 on the day and -7 for the tournament. It's still early for most golfers and the projected cut is looking to be around the +2 range. Bubba Watson is back in action after winning the Master's and is a solid +5, so good job there Bubba! All the top ranked players are in between the -2 and +2 range so it will be interesting if they can play themselves into contention before the weekend starts. And with the rainy conditions today, who will step up or who will get distracted? Saturday and Sunday will be in the warmer temps (mid 70s) but still include chances of rain, so that's definitely something to keep your eye on moving forward.
