K.J. Choi has 65 for one-stroke lead at Hogan’s Alley

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — K.J. Choi has won tournaments hosted by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods over the last nine months during a steady climb into the top 10 in the world. Further proof of his staying power came Thursday on a cool, windy morning at Riviera.

He managed to take the early lead at Hogan’s Alley.

On a course that has given him fits, Choi played bogey-free in breezy conditions for a 6-under 65 and a one-shot lead over Kevin Na in the Northern Trust Open.

Seventeen players failed to finish the round before dark.

Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor were at 67. Phil Mickelson took a 30-minute commute by plane from his home north of San Diego and opened with a 68, dropping a shot on his final hole when his drive found the bunker and left him unable to reach the green.

Among those who failed to finish was Dustin Johnson, the best among rookies in the first two months. He was at 3 under and had a birdie putt on the 16th.

Sergio Garcia, among several international players making their ’08 debut on the PGA Tour, opened with a 74. Adam Scott shot 73, while Retief Goosen shot 42 on the front on his way to a 79.

New Zealand PGA Championship

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — David Hearn, Darron Stiles and Matt Bettencourt shot 6-under 66s to top the first-round leaderboard.

Play Friday was wiped out by rain and wet conditions, with Australasian and Nationwide tour officials saying they will attempt to play the second round Saturday and finish with 36 holes Sunday.

D.A. Points, Rick Price and Dave Schultz opened with 67s, while Michael Campbell, the 2005 U.S. Open winner, shot a 70.

Indonesian Open

JAKARTA, Indonesia — David Bransdon and Joost Luiten shot 6-under 64s to take the lead in the suspended first round. Thirty-eight players were unable to complete the opening round because of rain.