FORD CH'SHIP LEADERBOARD US unless stated -8 JM Olazabal (Sp), P Mickelson, B Davis (GB), M Dawson (Ger) -7 H Frazar, T Woods -6 B Andrade, H Mahan, P Casey (GB), J Snyder III Full clubhouse scores

Davis, Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, Germany's Marco Dawson, and America's Phil Mickelson all shot eight-under-par 64s at Doral Resort.

Former world number one Tiger Woods and fellow American Harrison Frazar were one shot adrift.

Englishman Paul Casey was one of several two back after firing a 66.

Mickelson produced 10 birdies in his opening round and, with two early season victories under his belt, is brimming with confidence as he builds towards defending his Masters title at Augusta next month.

"When I know the field is so strong, four, or five or six-under just isn't going to cut it, and I find myself pushing to go lower," he said.

Woods was a bit wayward off the tee, hitting just five fairways, but he extended his bogey-free streak here to 60 holes, sinking a nine-footer at the last to preserve his impressive record.

"Good putting makes up for a lot of sins," he said.

Meanwhile, reigning world number one Vijay Singh, of Fiji, birdied three of his final four holes en route to a four-under 68.