Northern Trust Open Day 1

The PGA TOUR began play Thursday at the Northern Trust Open. Seventeen of the world's top twenty were present at Riviera Country club. Noticeably absent was Tiger Woods, who played his first professional tournament at Riviera when he received a sponsor's exemption at the age of 16. Coincedently, Tiger has played in 10 L.A. Open's without ever claiming victory. The closest he came to winning this elusive tourney, was in 1998 when he lost in a playoff to Billy Mayfair. Luckily for us golf fans, all the other top guns slapped the rock around the short, but tight Riviera course with dismal success.

Phil Mickelson trying to rebound from the loss to JB Holmes in a playoff in Phoenix on Superbowl Sunday, carded a 68- trailing KJ Choi , who opened with a 65, the best score of the day. Kevin Na shot 66, followed by Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor posting 4-under tied for third place. Davis Love III and David Duval both came out of hiding with dismal results; a 76 for Love and Duval headed back to Idaho after withdrawing in the face of the Riviera high winds.

Players who teed up in the afternoon faced difficult conditions as the heavy winds and fast greens resulted in some scores closer to 80 than 60. Jim Furyk shot 76, Retief hacked his way around the course with a 79 and last weeks winner, Steve Lowery, also turned in a dismal 8-over par. Conditions were expected to improve on Friday as players try to go low and improve their standings for the weekend. On a personal note I wonder if O.J. Simpson who was a long time member of Rivera is welcome as a guest spectator?