American Dustin Johnson fired a seven-under 64 at Riviera Country Club to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the 6.4 million-dollar Northern Trust Open.
Johnson made the most of cool, calm morning conditions as he nabbed seven birdies without a bogey on the par-71 layout for a one-stroke lead over Argentina's Andres Romero and American Kevin Stadler.
Ricky Barnes and Brandt Snedeker were two shots back on 66.
"Got off to a good start, had good vibes going all day," said Johnson, who started at the 10th and had two birdies in his first three holes.
After a birdie at the par-five 11th, he drained a 64-foot birdie bomb at the par-four 12th.
Johnson birdied Riviera's other two par-fives - the 17th and the first, missing an eight-foot eagle attempt at No.1.
Johnson, who missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open last week, appears to be building momentum before his title defence at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am next week.
He said he felt at home on the historic Riviera course west of downtown Los Angeles.
"It really fits my eye," he said.
Romero nabbed eight birdies in a six-under 65, more than making up for a double-bogey at the par-four ninth.
Romero, who closed his round with four straight birdies, admitted he might have avoided the big mistake if he'd heeded his caddie's advice on nine.
"My caddie was telling me to hit a seven-iron just to the front of the green, but I'm so stubborn I stayed with the six-iron and it buried in the bunker," he said.
Stadler started on the 10th tee and got hot early, with six of his seven birdies in his first nine holes. He cooled off coming in, with one birdie balanced by a bogey.
Steve Stricker, runner-up here last year to Phil Mickelson, headed a trio on 67. Stricker launched his round with an eagle at the par-five first hole. He added four birdies and two bogeys to finish alongside Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman.
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