Tom Lehman and Phil Mickelson carded eight-under-par 63s yesterday to share the lead after the first round of the Phoenix Open at Scottsdale, Arizona.

Both sank eight birdies during bogey-free rounds and shot 31s on the front side and 32s on the back. Lehman took the lead into clubhouse before Mickelson stormed up the leaderboard.

David Duval, Dennis Paulson, Charles Raulerson and Esteban Toledo of Mexico were tied for third on 66, with a group of 16 at four-under, including Casey Martin, defending champion Rocco Mediate and 1986 winner Hal Sutton.

Lehman has not won a US PGA Tour event since 1996, but he continued the strong play he showed already this year with birdies on his first three holes. He added birdies at nine, 10, 13, 16 and 17 under ideal weather conditions.

Mickelson birdied three, four and five and scattered five more throughout a flawless round.

The tournament features a purse of $3.2 million, with $576,000 going to the winner. The par-71 TPC at Scottsdale measures 7,083 yards.