Former champion Phil Mickelson held a one-stroke lead over a cramped field after the opening round of the NEC World Series of Golf at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio last night.Mickelson, the 1996 champion, was at four-under-par 70 and led Craig Parry and Tiger Woods by one shot. Five players were tied at 68, including Japanese Tour regular Brian Watts, who finished second to Mark O'Meara at the British Open. Also at two-under were Tim Herron, Justin Leonard, Shinichi Yokota and Greg Turner. Three strokes behind the leader were South African Ernie Els and David Duval.John Daly, struggling on the golf course this year as he tries to maintain his hard-won sobriety off it, broke down crying yesterday in the first round of the Greater Vancouver Open.Daly, playing with fellow American Corey Pavin and South African David Frost, started shaking at the 15th hole and walked around the green, tears coming down his face.