FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-8 P Mickelson (US) -7 S McCarron (US)
-5 D Wilson (US), J Furyk (US), D Johnson (US), L Donald (Eng), A Romero (Arg), K J Choi (Kor), J Merrick (US)
Selected others:-2 O Wilson (Eng), B Davis (Eng) +1 P Harrington (Ire)

Mickelson has not finished higher than 42nd in a PGA event this year

Phil Mickelson produced an impressive round of 63 at Riviera Country Club to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Northern Trust Open.

The defending champion shot an eight-under-par round to lead fellow American Scott McCarron by a stroke.

Seven others, including Englishman Luke Donald and Americans Dustin Johnson and Jim Furyk, finished third five under.

Reigning USPGA Tour player of the year Padraig Harrington struggled to a round of 72 in California.

Harrington has found the Riviera to his liking in the past, finishing third last year, but after shooting one over he went straight to the practice green without speaking to reporters.

Play was suspended because of darkness with four golfers still on the course and will resume their rounds at 1845 GMT on Friday.

Mickelson has not finished higher than 42nd in his first three events of the PGA Tour season but showed signs that he is finding his form.

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"It was a good start and I feel like I'm back on the right track," he said.

"At least my misses were much better. I felt much better with the putter and my short game was as good as it's been. I hit a lot of good shots around the greens to save strokes."

Mickelson won the tournament for the first time in his career last year with a two-stroke victory.

"It helps having won here last year and played well the year before. I have a lot of confidence coming onto this golf course," he added.

"I'm glad the last three days I was able to get some good work done and get back on track, I think."

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