Phil Mickelson completed an eight-under par 64 round this morning to seize a two-stroke lead over fellow American Chris DiMarco after the rain-disrupted first round of The Players Championship.
Mickelson and DiMarco were among 74 golfers still on the course when darkness halted play late yesterday evening. A 2 1/2-hour rain delay earlier in the day led to the suspension.
Scott Hoch stood third at 67 followed by England's Nick Faldo and British Open champion David Duval at 68. All of them completed their opening round this morning.
Eleven others were five strokes off the pace, including Australians Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby.
Ten others on 70 after 19 holes included Padraig Harrington, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, Spain's Sergio Garcia.
Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods opened with a 71, joining 20 others who were seven strokes behind Mickelson, still seeking his first major title with the Masters looming only three weeks away.
Darren Clarke finished up with a 76 and therefore almost certainly needs 70 at worst from his second round just to make the cut.