DUBLIN, Ohio, June 2 (UPI) -- Jeff Sluman fired a 7-under 65 Thursday that gave him a one-shot lead over Rory Sabbatini at the Memorial Tournament.
Tournament host Jack Nicklaus, who could be playing in his final PGA Tour event on American soil, shot a 3-over 75 at the Muirfield Village Golf Club. That was two shots better than Vijay Singh, the No. 1 ranked player in the world.
Nicklaus said last month that he would retire from competition after playing in this summer's British Open, but backed down slightly from that statement this week.
Among those at 67 after the opening round were Woody Austin, Adam Scott and Nick O'Hern while Tiger Woods was tied for 13th following a 3-under 69. Woods is playing for the first time since his record streak of 142 straight cuts made came to an end at the Byron Nelson Championship.
Ernie Els settled for a 73. Phil Mickelson, ranked fourth in the world behind Singh, Woods and Els, is not playing this week.
The Memorial is the next-to-last event prior to the playing of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
