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Summary Phil Mickelson shoots five-under-par 66 and takes charge with late birdie at Riviera.
Red-hot Phil Mickelson, fresh from victory at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Sunday, chipped in to birdie his last hole and grab a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open.On a tricky day of strong, gusting winds at Riviera Country Club, the American left-hander delivered a superb five-under-par 66 to finish a stroke in front of compatriotsAmerican Jonathan Byrd, who played in the stronger gusts of the morning, and Swede Carl Pettersson opened with 68s while British world number one Luke Donald launched his PGA Tour season with a 70.However, 30 players were still out on the course when play was suspended in fading light and they will complete the first round on Friday morning.Of those, 2006 winner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was closest to the lead at two-under par with one hole remaining. Mickelson, champion here in 2008 and 2009, recorded six birdies and a lone bogey to replicate the scintillating form he unveiled in the final round at Pebble Beach where he closed with a flawless 64.U.S. Ryder Cup player Mahan, who like Mickelson played in the afternoon, surged into contention with a sizzling run of four consecutive birdies from the par-four fifth, his 14th hole.Big-hitting Holmes had even more reason to celebrate his first-round charge as he is playing in only his fourth PGA Tour event since having brain surgery last year.The American returned to competition at last months Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, having been sidelined since August after being diagnosed with Chiari malformation, structural defects in the part of the brain which controls balance.
