Phil Mickelson took a one-shot lead at the Northern Trust Open after first-round play wrapped up Friday morning. Armed with the early advantage at Riviera, Mickelson looks good to make it two consecutive wins.
Mickelson has won the last five times he has held the first-round lead on the PGA Tour, as well as six of the last seven.
The world No. 11 has also won in consecutive starts on three different occasions in his career. He is the last player to conquer Hogan’s Alley in back-to-back years, doing so in 2008 and ’09.
A win this week could land Mickelson the moniker of highest-ranked American. The champion gets 62 world ranking points – the most of any worldwide event this year – and could propel Mickelson to fifth in the world.