Stallings leads crowded Memorial leaderboard; Woods four back

• By Ryan Ballengee
• May 31, 2012 6:49 PM ET

DUBLIN, Ohio – On a day where few could break out from the pack mentality of the field, the lead in the first round of the Memorial Tournament came down to a putt at the final hole.

Scott Stallings birdied the 18th at Muirfield Village GC to card 6-under 66 and take the solo lead by one over Spencer Levin and Erik Compton.

Levin would have enjoyed a shared of the lead with Stallings, but dropped a shot at his last hole of the day on the par-4 ninth. Levin had rallied to the lead at 6 under after an eagle at the par-5 seventh and another birdie at the short par-3 eighth.

Compton made a back-nine charge of his own, making five birdies and a bogey to share second place.

Two behind Levin and Compton is a group of seven players at 3 under, including Blake Adams, Andres Romero, Aaron Baddeley, Rory Sabbatini, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Every and Daniel Summerhays.

Phil Mickelson closed his round with six consecutive fives to shoot 7-over 79, his worst PGA Tour round since the first round of the Chrysler Championship in 2003. He then withdrew from the tournament citing fatigue from a recent trip to Europe with his wife, Amy.

Tiger Woods is a part of a large group tied for 11th at 2 under after carding an opening 70.