Choi's 65 takes lead at Riviera

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 in Los Angeles.

He managed to take the early lead at famed "Hogan's Alley" -- Riviera Country Club.

On a course that has given him fits, Choi played bogey-free golf for a 6-under 65 and a 1-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.

SBS Open: Kelli Kuehne shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA Tour's season-opening SBS Open at Kahuku, Hawaii.

Annika Sorenstam, coming off an injury-shortened season where she failed to win for the first time since her rookie season in 1994, opened with a 70 -- matching playing partner and defending champion Paula Creamer.

New Zealand PGA Championship: Canadian David Hearn and Americans Darron Stiles and Matt Bettencourt shot 6-under 66s to top the first-round leaderboard in the New Zealand PGA Championship at Christchurch, New Zealand.

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