Red-hot Phil Mickelson, fresh from victory at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Sunday, chipped in to birdie his last hole and grab a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open Thursday. On a tricky day of strong, gusting winds at Riviera Country Club, the American left-hander delivered a superb five-under-par 66 to finish a stroke in front of compatriots J.B. Holmes and Hunter Mahan. American Jonathan Byrd, who played in the stronger gusts of the morning, and Swede Carl Pettersson opened with 68s while British world No. 1 Luke Donald launched his PGA Tour season with a 70. However, 30 players were still out on the course when play was suspended in fading light and they will complete the first round on Friday morning. Of those, 2006 winner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was closest to the lead at two-under par with one hole remaining. Mickelson, champion here in 2008 and 2009, recorded six birdies and a lone bogey to replicate the scintillating form he unveiled in the final round at Pebble Beach where he closed with a flawless 64. Having made his only mistake of the day at the par-three 16th, he was delighted to end his round with a 35-foot chip-in from just off the back of the green at the par-four 18th. Tseng back in the running In Pattaya, world No. 1 Yani Tseng staged an impressive comeback on the second day of the $1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand Tournament Friday before thunderstorms cut short play. After her disappointing one-over 73 on the opening day, the Taiwanese defending champion sparkled with a seven-under 65 to get back in the running in joint seventh place with an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys. Australia's Karrie Webb moved to the top of the leaderboard on 10-under for the tournament with four holes to go when play was suspended for the day. Clubhouse leader when play was suspended was South Korea's Jiyai Shin on eight-under after shooting a 66. Compatriot Amy Yang was also on eight-under but with four holes to play. Sweden's Caroline Hedwall was a further shot behind on 65, along with Norway's Suzann Pettersen and South Korea's Choi Na-Yeon who still had four holes to play. Overnight leader Ai Miyazato from Japan was on six-under in joint seventh place, with five holes left.
