Dublin, OH

Mickelson reportedly texts PGA commissioner from course

Phil Mickelson withdrew from The Memorial Tournament due to "mental fatigue". Apparently what he was really tired of was cell phone usage on the course.

The cell phone issue contributed to Mickelson withdrawing after firing a 79 in the first round. Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler talked about fans taking pictures with their phones after playing the first round at Muirfield Village together.

According to an ESPN report, to four people with direct knowledge said that Mickelson sent a text message to PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem from the sixth fairway saying that a lack of policing fans with cell phones was getting out of hand.

Watson and Fowler were quoted after the round blaming Mickelson's withdrawal on fans who repeatedly distracted Mickelson by snapping photos with cell phone cameras.

"Phil's a great player and a great champion, and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cell phones can make or break a championship," Watson said Thursday after shooting a 75.

Police said about 50 phones were confiscated from the Watson-Fowler gallery Friday. According to the Golf Channel, volunteers estimated they took more than 100 devices from the gallery following Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Bill Haas on Friday.

Should fans be allowed to carry cell phones onto the course at major golf tournaments?

Tiger Woods snapped at a fan during the Memorial over cell phone usage and, even though he claimed fatigue, there's word Phil Mickelson withdrew from the tournament over cell phone photos. Len Berman thinks it's time to change the culture of golf

Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved