The Memorial Tournament

The Memorial Tournament was founded by Jack Nicklaus in 1976. And “The Golden Bear” will host the 33rd annual event at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, this weekend.

Nicklaus was born in Columbus, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University before embarking on what is currently the standard by which all other PGA Tour careers are measured. A record 18-time major championship winner — with six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens and three British Opens — and two-time U.S. Amateur champ, Nicklaus’ historic status is being chased by Tiger Woods.

In fact, Tiger’s recent knee surgery has put Jack’s records in proper perspective. Once seen as a foregone conclusion, Woods’ mortality has made Nicklaus’ longevity even more impressive. After all, Jack won his first major (1962 U.S. Open) at 22 years old and his last (1986 Masters) at 46 years of age.

Sadly, the 30-year-old 13-time major champion Tiger will take this week off, after earlier reports claimed the World’s No. 1 golfer would resume play at Jack’s tournament. A three-time winner (1999, 2000, 2001) at The Memorial Tournament, Woods would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to his sore knee.

“I wasn’t ready,” said Woods, on his official website.

“Going to Memorial that rusty, it wouldn’t have made any sense. I wasn’t sharp enough. I didn’t hit all my shots I needed to hit yet at home and make sure everything is organized.

“I wasn’t quite ready. So, no sense in going there not ready. The whole idea is to be ready for the U.S. Open (June 12-15).”

Without Tiger in the field, No. 2-ranked Phil Mickelson is the man to beat. Lefty is riding a wave of momentum following a brilliant come-from-behind win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial last Sunday.

After rehashing Winged Foot footage with a “Wide Left” Lefty drive off the tee, Mickelson pulled off one of the greatest shots of his career with a 52-degree wedge from nearly 140 yards — out of the rough and behind (or through) a few trees on the 72nd hole.

A perfectly executed shot gave Mickelson a 9-foot birdie putt for a one-shot victory over playing partner Rod Pampling and Tim Clark, who was preparing for a playoff at the driving range. With the crowd on his side, Lefty nailed the tourney-winner — causing a roar from the gallery, a cannonball dive into the river from one fan and a laughing smile from Phil’s tournament-tested wife.

“Of all the crazy shots I’ve seen him hit, I think I’m still in shock over that one,” said Amy Mickelson, of the risk-reward chip shot on No. 18.

Lefty’s 34th career PGA Tour victory was his second victory at the Ben Hogan’s Colonial — with a 14-under 266 one-shot win over Pampling and Clark. But of all the 266 strokes over four days, the win will be remembered and boiled down to one unbelievably dangerous wedge out of the thick stuff. Lesser players would have settled for a playoff… but not Phil.

“If there is at all a chance, I’m going for it. I want to win golf tournaments. I thought I needed to get on the green and try to have a putt at it,” said Mickelson.

“I’m as surprised as anybody I was able to make a 3 from over there. I’m thinking if I make par and get into a playoff; that would be great. It wasn’t like it was an easy shot, but it came off. It was one of my more memorable ones.”

This week, Mickelson will attempt to win his first Memorial Tournament. In doing so, Phil would become only the seventh player to win at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational as well as Jack’s tournament — joining Paul Azinger (1988 Arnold, 1993 Memorial), Fred Couples (1992 Arnold, 1998 Memorial), Ernie Els (1998 Arnold, 2004 Memorial), Kenny Perry (2005 Arnold, 1991 and 2003 Memorial), Vijay Singh (2007 Arnold, 1997 Memorial) and Tiger Woods (2000-2003 Arnold, 1999-2001 Memorial), who won both tournaments in the same year in 2000 and 2001.

Along with Mickelson (1997 Arnold), Chad Campbell (2004 Arnold) and Pampling (2006 Arnold) are also a win at The Memorial Tournament away from elite company.

The 7,265-yard, Par-72 course at Muirfield Village Golf Course in Dublin, Ohio, features 75 bunkers and 11 holes with water hazards in play. But with a $6 million total purse, a $1.08 million winner’s share and a proud victor’s handshake from Jack himself on the line, expect a major championship atmosphere this weekend.

The Memorial Tournament will be televised on GOLF Channel (3:00-6:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday and Friday before CBS (2:30-6:00 p.m. ET) takes over the weekend coverage.