Birdie: MuirfieldContrast the events of Sunday with the U.S. Open at Merion, when players spent most of the day moving only in one direction. Muirfield, meanwhile, produced a push-and-pull dynamic that was riveting. A roster of some of the best players in the game fell off the leader board with mistakes, then reemerged when given an opportunity to make birdies and eagles. It was golf at its best -- unpredictable, punishing, but undeniably fair. No wonder Muirfield has a habit of bringing the best to the fore, as it did again with Mickelson.