DUBLIN, Ohio -- The biggest distraction Jack Nicklaus ever faced on the golf course was from a helicopter.

It's an old story, but Nicklaus chuckled while recalling the time he lost his concentration when a chopper flew over Cherry Hills in the 1960 U.S. Open and he three-putted for bogey. Two years later, Nicklaus had gone three rounds without a three-putt in the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont when a helicopter approached as he played the first hole of the final round.

"I reverted and thought right back about it," Nicklaus said over the weekend. "It was the only three-putt I had in the whole tournament."

The issue at Memorial was cellphones, which contributed to Phil Mickelson withdrawing after an opening round of 79. Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler mentioned the vast number of fans taking pictures with their phones, to the point players had to back off their shots.

Mickelson is not afraid to send a message to the tour -- in this case, literally.

According to four people with direct knowledge, Mickelson sent a text message to PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem from the sixth fairway at Muirfield Village suggesting that a lack of policing fans with cellphones was getting out of hand.

Watson and Fowler laid the blame for Mickelson's withdrawal on fans who continually distracted Mickelson by snapping photos with cellphone cameras.

"Phil's a great player and a great champion, and it just took him out of his game. It's sad. It's sad that cellphones can make or break a championship," Watson said Thursday after shooting a 75.