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.
Related Articles
Sabbatini takes 36-hole lead; Woods one back
by Doug Ferguson | Jun 1, 2012 8:50 PM ETThat other Rory – Rory Sabbatini – played his best golf in the worst weather Friday at the Memorial and made a surprising appearance atop the leaderboard. Right behind him was a Tiger Woods that looke... Read More
Stallings leads Memorial; Woods 4 back
by Doug Ferguson | May 31, 2012 7:32 PM ETScott Stallings made one of only four birdies on the 18th hole at Muirfield Village for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead in the Memorial. Read More
By the numbers: Look back at Woods' injuries
by Golf Channel Digital | Jun 19, 2013 3:57 PM ETTake a look back at the various injuries in Tiger Woods' career, as the 14-time major champ is again sidelined, this time with a left elbow strain. Read More
Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
Latest News
- Tiger out of AT&T with elbow injury | Timeline
- Woods, McIlroy to play in Dubai Jan. 2014
- Rose highlights Travelers | Groups | Tee times
- Fantasy: Travelers Championship rankings, picks
- Rose media tour | 'Top 10' | 'Today' | 'Dan Patrick'
- Punch Shot: Will Mickelson ever win an Open?
- Li, 10, in Publinx match play | Nine-year-old's 58
- Grill Room: Seinfeld tells golf jokes on 'Late Night'
- Nike signs No. 1 am | Deere invite for Spieth
- Obama mentions Rory in Belfast speech
- Stock watch: Buying the champ, selling runner-up
- Weekly Fix: Finding the right tempo and path








