Mickelson steady on the start

02/05/2010

Mickelson steady on the start

The three-time major winner, Phil Mickelson, had drawn heavy criticism at last week's Farmers Insurance Open when he chose to exploit a loophole in the new rules allowing only clubs with shallow and narrow V grooves by putting in play a pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 wedge.

He made a steady start to his bid and put the wedge controversy behind him for a third successive Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles.

The row escalated over the weekend and forced PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem to promise to review how best to close the loophole, which arose from a legal settlement after a lawsuit brought by Ping golf clubs in the early 1990s.

Mickelson slammed the existence of the loophole and the new regulation but said on Wednesday he would not use the Ping wedge this week "out of respect" for his fellow professionals.

After nine holes of his first round at the par-71 Riviera, the world number two was one under par having birdied the par-five first and par-four eighth, with a bogey five at the fifth preventing him from making further inroads into the clubhouse lead held by fellow American Dustin Johnson.

The early-starting Johnson fired a seven-under 64 to lead by a stroke from Argentina's Andres Romero, also back in the clubhouse following a 65.

Of the afternoon starters in Pacific Palisades, Kevin Stadler was off to a fast start at five under after seven holes, having begun his round at the famous par-four 10th.

Former world number one David Duval also began brightly, reaching four under after seven holes on the back nine, while current world number three Steve Stricker was at four under after 10 and fellow American Steve Lowery in the clubhouse on the same mark following a 67.