DUBLIN, Ohio — The first time Phil Mickelson saw Muirfield Village Golf Club was as a 16-year-old. His week of excitement was ruined by a loss at the U.S. Junior Amateur.

He's had several disappointments since at the course Jack Nicklaus built. But now he's hoping to win there while ruining things for Tiger Woods.

Mickelson took a solid step toward slipping past Woods and into the No. 1 spot in the world rankings with a 5-under 67 Thursday in the rain-hampered opening round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village.

"I played here in the '86 Junior Am and fell in love with the place," said Mickelson, who has never finished higher than a tie for fourth in nine starts at the Memorial. "I don't know why I haven't been able to break through here, but I'm trying hard this week."

Mickelson was two shots back of co-leaders Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Geoff Ogilvy. Joining him at 67 were Andres Romero, Jason Day and Rory Sabbatini.

Fowler, making a case to be the top rookie on the PGA Tour, had three birdies, an eagle and another birdie on holes 4-8 to go from 1 over to 5 under. He holed a wedge from 90 yards for a 3 at the par-5 7th.

"I didn't see myself shooting 65 on it today," said Fowler, making his first appearance at the course. "I saw this as being a pretty tough course."

To be No. 1, Mickelson needs to win this week while Woods — who has won the Memorial a record four times — finishes out of the top three.

"I'm excited to be here this week," Mickelson said. "The course is set up perfect. Hopefully, I'll be able to get in contention for Sunday."

Woods shot an erratic 72, struggling off the tee while hitting just 7 of 14 fairways. The last time he played a competitive round at Muirfield, he hit every fairway while winning with a masterful, come-from-behind 65 in last year's final round.

But Woods never really got anything going on Thursday in his return to tournament golf after missing the last three weeks due to an inflamed neck joint.

"This is my 10th round of the year," he said. "Usually you're like that in January. I'm there in June. I need competitive rounds."