FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -7 J Rose (GB), D Wilson -5 F Couples, B Mayfair, J Parnevik (Swe) -4 R Pampling (Aus), H Frazar, R Sabbatini (SA) -3 C Howell, P Perez, K Sutherland, O Browne, S Appleby (Aus), A Scott (Aus), J Sindelar, K Na, J Brehaut Selected others: -2 T Woods, G Owen (GB), L Donald (GB) -1 E Els (SA), P McGinley (Irl) Level L Westwood (GB) +2 G McDowell (GB)

Rose made the most of near-perfect conditions to collect seven birdies at the Riviera Country Club.

He and Wilson lead by two shots from Americans Fred Couples and Billy Mayfair, and Swede Jesper Parnevik.

World number one Tiger Woods, battling a dose of flu, returned a two-under 69 as he chases a third successive win.

Woods mixed six birdies with two dropped shots and a double-bogey at the par-three fourth.

"I was disgusted with how I felt," he said. "I was hoping the fever would burn off during the round but it didn't.

"I don't feel very good right now. I feel tired and I'm going home to get some sleep."

Rose, teeing off at the 10th, picked up shots on 11, 12 and 16 to reach the turn in three-under 33.

Further birdies followed on one, four, six and eight, where he almost holed out with a nine-iron approach.

"I'm really happy to get off to a good start," said the 25-year-old Englishman. "I kept making birdies at nice times to keep the momentum going.

"I drove the ball better than I have all year and I have felt good enough to win at any time over the last few months."

Hawaiian Wilson, yet to win on the PGA Tour, matched Rose with a blemish-free performance in his sixth start of the season.

Due to darkness, eight golfers were unable to finish their first rounds, and will complete them on Friday.