Choi sets pace

PACIFIC PALISADES, California. — South Korea’s K.J. Choi made the most of relatively calm morning conditions to grab a one-shot lead in the Northern Trust Open first round on Thursday.

The 37-year-old, who won his seventh PGA Tour title in last month’s Sony Open in Hawaii, fired a flawless six-under-par 65 at a breezy Riviera Country Club.

South Korea-born Kevin Na, now a US citizen, also benefited from a morning tee-off and was alone in second place after carding a five-birdie 66.

Americans Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor opened with 67s while world No. 2 Phil Mickelson, the highest-ranked player in a strong field at Riviera, was among a group of eight on 68.

Conditions were much more difficult in the afternoon with winds gusting up to 42kph and 17 players were still out on the course when play was suspended for the day in fading light.

Best of the late starters was former US Walker Cup amateur Dustin Johnson who was three under with three holes remaining.

Choi, who spent last week relaxing at his Texas home, made a fast start in calm early conditions with birdies on the first two holes.

With his approach play in sparkling order, he picked up further shots on the fifth and seventh to reach the turn in four-under 31.

As the wind strengthened on the tree-lined layout, he struck a sand wedge approach to three feet to set up another birdie at the par-five 11th before rolling in a 12-footer at the 17th.

"I’m very happy," Choi said, speaking through an interpreter. "In the past on this course, I’ve always had trouble putting and my iron shots have been a problem.

"But they worked well today and even the weather was pretty pleasant when I played. As the day went by, the wind started changing."

Mickelson, who heads the strongest field assembled anywhere this year, was happy with a 68 including five birdies and two bogeys.

"I know there were some lower scores out there but I thought it was a good start," the three-time major winner said.

"The wind was a little stronger than it has been in the past and it was the opposite direction than what we’re used to here at Riviera. Usually it’s off the ocean."

Among the other big names in a field that includes 17 of the world’s top 20, US Open champion Angel Cabrera opened with a 68 and British Open winner Padraig Harrington a 69.

Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen, playing his first PGA Tour event of the year, battled to a 79 to prop up the leaderboard with American Steve Lowery, who won last week’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.