Mickelson at it again in Northern Trust Open

Phil Mickelson is continuing from where he left off after winning the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am by grabbing the first-round lead in the Northern Trust Open.

The American lefty hit a superb 5-under 66 on a tough day of strong and gusty winds at Riviera Country Club. He will take a shot lead into the second round, ahead of JB Holmes and Hunter Mahan.

Jonathan Byrd and Swede Carl Pettersson opened with 68s, while British world No 1 Luke Donald launched his PGA Tour season with a 70.

Mickelson has a good record at Riviera, winning this tournament in 2008 and 2009. He shot six birdies and just one bogey to carry on the form he showed at Pebble Beach.

He ended the round in style as well with a 35-foot chip-in from just off the back of the green on the par-four 18th.

"It wasn't one I was really trying to make," four-times major winner Mickelson told reporters. "It was quick, it was downhill and I had to play about four or five feet of break.

"I was trying to get good speed and try to let it feed with the break. I got fortunate obviously that it went in."

Unfortunately 30 players were unable to complete their first rounds as play was suspended in fading light, which they will have to finish early on the second day.

South African Northern Trust Open round one performance

Of those, 2006 winner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was closest to the lead on 2-under with one hole remaining.

The rest of the South African’s in the field really struggled in the wind, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els were next best after Sabbatini on 2-over, followed by Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge another shot behind. Tim Clark, who is returning to action for the first time in almost a year, was on 4-over with three holes to play, while Trevor Immelman had the worst of it and limped to 5-over par from his first 18 holes.