(Image source: Rumors & Rants ) 

BY MEGAN RICE

Pro golfer Phil Mickelson withdrew after the first round of the Memorial Tournament, at first citing fatigue but now apparently because of fans’ cellphone use. HLN reports on how Mickelson used the iron...y to make a point.

“He pulled out his own cell phone, texted the PGA tour commissioner arguing that a lack of policing of cell phone cameras was getting out of hand.”

Nearly 50 phones were confiscated from Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson's gallery. Rumors and Rants reports other players agree with Mickelson.

“Watson and Fowler were Mickelson’s playing partners last Thursday and both claimed Mickelson’s withdrawal was due to fans constantly distracting him by taking photos with their cellphone cameras. Watson claimed the tour’s rule on cellphone cameras isn’t working.”

The Dan Patrick Show explains how Mickelson himself could be in trouble for the use of his phone during a tournament.

“I don't know if that's why he dropped out, but texting the commissioner with his phone -- I don't think he's allowed to have his phone on the course. I don't think so. Now I don’t know if they are going to discipline him for that.”

Golf Channel says the main problem is the lack of communication on cell-phone usage.

“At Muirfield Village I don’t think anyone knew the rules. They told fans you can bring phones into the course with you... A volunteer marshal would come along and rip the phones out of their hands and say you can’t have this here. So I think there was complete confusion on both sides throughout the week.”

ESPN reports on a different solution to the cell phone problem.

“Telling everyone they can’t bring a cellphone to the golf tournament isn’t the answer. The answer is when people come in to the golf tournament check the phone and make sure it is on vibrate then it won’t make any noise.” 

According to Yahoo Sports, Augusta has a strict no-phone policy at their tournament, where officials are known to throw people out.