European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo was impressed by what he saw of fellow former world number one David Duval during the opening round of the Bob Hope Classic at Palm Desert, California on Wednesday.

American Duval, who has not won since the 2001 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, shot a five-under-par 67 at the Classic Club, one of four venues hosting the 90-hole event.

"His swing looks good," Faldo said in his role as lead television analyst for the Golf Channel. "I love the way he made that rehearsal stroke before hitting his shot. Before, he had his famous alignment with an extremely shut club face. But today his rhythm worked and his putting looked great."

Duval's relative free-fall from the top of the golfing pile in 1999 has been one of the most perplexing stories in the sport's history.

In 1998, he led the PGA Tour money list with earnings of more than $2.5 million. The following year, he became the third player in Tour history to shoot a magical 13-under-par 59, doing so in the final round of the Bob Hope Classic where he eagled the last.

He won four titles before that year's Masters, and eclipsed Tiger Woods as the game's top-ranked player on March 28th, 1999.

In 2001, he finally clinched his first major after several narrow misses, a closing 67 earning him a three-shot victory in the British Open at Royal Lytham.

His golfing career then unravelled. He broke off an eight-year engagement to fiancee Julie McArthur at the start of 2002 and struggled with his swing along with several injuries.

He tumbled out of the top 400 in the world rankings and made only one cut in 20 starts on the 2005 PGA Tour.

For a while, he considered giving up the game, especially when his life away from the course gained stability with his marriage to Susie Persichitte. He is now a proud father to four children.

However, he decided to persevere with tournament golf and made positive strides last year with three top-25 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a tie for 16th at the US Open.

"He's been through a really tough time and making just one cut two years ago, that's pretty serious to deal with," added six-times major winner Faldo. He was a character, though, and we need him. And coming to an event like the Bob Hope is good for the confidence."

Known for being a birdie fest of low scoring in relatively calm conditions, the Bob Hope is an ideal tournament to start the season.

Duval took advantage on Wednesday, eagling the par-five 14th and picking up three more shots to finish four strokes behind pacesetting Australian Robert Allenby.

"I feel like I'm playing well," said Duval, who is playing the 2007 PGA Tour on an all-time money list exemption. Today was a good test and it's a little more comfortable out there when it's going where you want it to."

Meanwhile, Masters champion Phil Mickelson recovered from a shaky start to shoot a two-under-par 70.

The American left-hander, making his first appearance on the 2007 PGA Tour, reeled off six birdies in nine holes from the fifth before finishing seven strokes off the pace.

"It was erratic," said Mickelson. "I hit a lot of great shots and a lot of poor shots. All in all, though, it was a good round of two under par."

World number four Mickelson, who had not played competitive golf since last year's disastrous Ryder Cup at The K Club, began in roller-coaster fashion.

He birdied the first, dropped shots at the second and third and ran up a double-bogey at the par-four fourth.

"I was nervous a little bit today," he said. "I haven't been nervous on a first tee in quite some time. I had a little butterfly. After being three over through four holes, to come back and shoot under par, I'll gladly take that."

The three-times major winner got to three under with five holes remaining but bogeyed the par-four 14th before signing off with four consecutive pars.

Australia's Robert Allenby holed 25-foot birdie putts on his last two holes to move two shots clear after the first round with a sparkling nine-under-par 63 at La Quinta.

However, he failed to keep up the momentum and trailed early leader Justin Rose by one shot and the end of the second round.

Rose added a seven-under-par 65 for a total of 132 and a one-shot lead over Allenby (70) with Matt Kuchar and John Rollins on 134 and Calcavecchia a shot back on 135 after a 70.