Round 1: the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance

Before inclement weather stopped play Thursday morning, Phil Mickelson had no birdies through his first few holes after starting his round on the 10th tee. But after the resumption of play two hours later, Mickelson found his groove.

With two birdies to finish his front nine, and three more coming in, Mickelson was very happy to post a bogey-free 5-under 67.

That’s the second-lowest round he has shot in 35 career rounds at the Memorial Tournament, and just the seventh time he has managed a round in the 60s at Muirfield Village.

Mickelson couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin his chase of a tournament crown that he’s never won.

“It was a good start,” Mickelson said. “I enjoyed the round. I felt like the course was in great shape and without much wind and soft conditions. There were a lot of birdies out there.”

Mickelson said Muirfield Village demands patience, and that’s how he played Thursday. With the rain giving players a chance to fire at soft pins, Mickelson was in his element.

“Maybe I didn’t get off to the quickest start this morning, but I was patient throughout the round and ultimately made my birdies where they fell,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson is making just his fourth start at the Memorial this century; the tournament usually doesn’t fit into his schedule. His best finish is a tie for fourth in 2006, but for the most part he’s rarely been in serious contention here.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like the course, though. Just the opposite.

He recalled the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur when he first played Muirfield Village and “fell in love with the place.” That’s despite losing in the quarterfinals in 19 holes. Mickelson still remembers the opponent who conquered him that day — Carito Villaroman.

No, you probably haven’t heard of him.

Much talk this week has centered on Mickelson’s bid to win the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus. A win might also vault Mickelson to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking, depending on where current No. 1 Tiger Woods finishes. Woods can retain the top ranking if he finishes fourth or better.

“I think it would be really cool to win his (Nicklaus) tournament,” Mickelson said. “It would mean a lot to me because it’s a special event. … I don’t know why I haven’t been able to break through here, but I’m trying hard this week.”

To replay Mickelson’s round on Shot Tracker, click here.