Golf writers an endangered species on both sides of Atlantic

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
By Alex Miceli
Sitting in the rain at Riviera, I thought it might be nice to spread some good news for a change about the golf industry.
Jeff Shain, formally of the Miami Herald, has hooked on at the Orlando Sentinel as – believe it or not – the newspaper’s golf writer.
Now this is REAL news, a welcome change from what we had become all too accustomed to hearing with newspaper after newspaper dropping both golf writers and a considerable amount of golf coverage.
This week alone, outside of the local newspapers, only Larry Dorman of the New York Times is reporting at the Northern Trust Open.
In the old days, five or six newspapers from places such as Boston, Orlando, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Dallas used to make the trip on a annual basis.
With the fact that the Florida papers have not seen a US PGA Tour stop in a long time, having Shain joining the Sentinel can only be a plus for golf coverage.

COMMENT FROM COLIN FARQUHARSON
The Scottish/British public are probably not aware and wouldn't care anyway but the number of full-time newspaper staff golf writers/reporters is dwindling just as much on this side of the Atlantic as it is in the States.
When I was a young general sports reporter cutting my teeth at Scottish golf tournaments back in the 1960s-1970s, there could be as many as eight, nine or 10 staff golf writers sent by the sports editors of Scottish morning and evening newspapers to tournaments such as the Northern Open, the Scottish professional championship, the Scottish amateur championship, etc.
But these are increasingly hard times for newspapers. Their income from advertising is diminishing, their circulation figures are going through the floor as readers get their news from TV or even websites such as this!
Live scoring offered by some tournament organisers on websites means sports editors don't have to authorise expensive hotel stays and daily meals away from home. Their man can report on a tournament without leaving his office desk, although without access to players' quotes.
Newspapers still devote a lot of space to top-level professional tournaments, sometimes covered by an agency, but carry increasingly less about smaller, domestic competitions.
Where will it all end? I don't think golf writers as a breed will go the way of the Dodo ... but they are an endangered species. Cherish them while the few survivors are still among you!

Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com

Montgomerie says he won't name his Ryder Cup

vice-captains until after Open

FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By Trent Baker
Europe's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will not announce his vice-captains for the October 1-3 Celtic Manor match until AFTER July's Open Championship at St Andrews at the earliest.
American counterpart Corey Pavin has named former Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, Davis Love, Jeff Sluman and Paul Goydos as his vice-captains for October's showdown at Celtic Manor. Montgomerie's predecessor Nick Faldo named Paul McGinley as his vice-captain at May's BMW PGA Championship in 2008, a move which led to the Irishman to later decline the role as he still had hopes of qualifying for Valhalla.
"There will be nothing announced on Europe's part until at least after the British Open this year, so that's the third week in July at least before any announcement is made," said Montgomerie. "I want to give everybody an opportunity of qualifying for the team and we will know more about what the qualifying situation is around that time."
Montgomerie is believed to be considering Thomas Bjorn, Jose Maria Olazabal – who was Faldo's only vice-captain – and McGinley for the role.
Europe's nine automatic-place qualifiers will be confirmed after August's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles before Montgomerie completes the 12-man team with three wild cards.
As for Pavin's vice-captains, Montgomerie said: "I don't really have any thoughts, I was never going to have any thoughts at all. That's up to him and the American team and I wish them well."
One talking point, however, is that two of Pavin's picks have never competed in the matches against Europe.The only assistant not considered a surprise was Lehman, one of Pavin's closest friends. Lehman was the Ryder Cup captain in Ireland in 2006 and chose Pavin as one of his assistants.
The big surprise is Goydos, although the announcement brought a thumbs-up from Phil Mickelson. "That'll be cool," the world No 2 said.
Goydos said his only Ryder Cup experience has been watching it on TV. Even so, he is among the most popular US PGA Tour players in the locker room because of his dry wit and honest opinions.
Pavin thought Goydos's lack of experience would be an advantage. "He is unconventional, thinks outside the box, and is an excellent judge of character and talent," he said.
Sluman is a former US PGA champion who never made a Ryder Cup team, but has plenty of experience. He was the assistant to Jack Nicklaus for three straight years in the Presidents Cup.
The choice of Love is somewhat of a surprise because at 45, the 20-time US PGA Tour winner still hopes to make the team for the first time since 2004. He is expected to be a Ryder Cup captain, perhaps as early as 2012 in Medinah.
"I get to try to make the team, and if I don't make the team, I still get to go. I think it's an honour for me to be in this group," said Love.
*The full article above appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Renault EPD Tour Scoreboard
MONTGOMERIE CLASSIC
Papillon Golf Resort & Hotel, Belek, Antalya, Turkey
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
139 Nicolas Meitinger (Germany) 70 69.
144 Thomas de Kesel (Belgium) 70 74.
146 Bjorn Petterson (Sweden) 73 73, Jochen Lupprian (Germany) 75 71.
147 Grant Jackson (England) 74 73.
148 Vincent Simoni (France) 74 74, Bernd Ritthaumner (Germany) 76 72.
149 Johan Eerdmans (Netherlands) 75 74, Brian McElhinney (Ireland) 75 74.
Selected scores:
151 Reinier Saxton (Netherlands) 74 77, Matthew Dearden (Wales) 79 72.
152 Lee Corfield (England) 75 77.
153 Michael Lowe (England) 75 78, Tim Rice (Ireland) 77 76, Stephen Grant (Ireland) 77 76.
155 Ben Welch (England) 80 75.
156 Simon Boyd (England) 79 77.

MISSED CUT (156 or better)
160 Cian McNamara (Ireland) 81 79,
Retired: Jay Taylor (England) 79 ret.
Withdrew: Oliver Lindup (England) 83 WD.

Gateway Tour Scoreboard
WINTER SERIES - Anthem G&CC, Ironwood, Arizona
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
Players from US unless stated
206 Jesse Mueller 70 70 65 ($16,000).
206 Josh Persons 66 74 66, Eric Meierdierks 66 68 72 ($8,500 each).
208 Kane Hanson 68 69 71 ($5,500).
Selected scores:
216 Niall Turner (Cork, Ireland) 74 71 71 (jt 23rd) ($1,275).
MISSED CUT (145 or better qualified)
148 Chris Cole (Wales) 75 73.
WITHDREW
Jimmy Gunn (Dornoch, Scotland) 74 WD

Reports suggest Tiger comeback in Arizona Match-play

FROM THE BBC.CO.UK SPORTS WEBSITE
Tiger Woods is reportedly targeting a return to golf at the WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona the week after next.
World No 1 Woods, 34, who has won 14 majors, has not appeared in public since crashing his car last November and later admitting to "infidelity".
"Rumours of his return surfaced in Australia and were initially greeted with scepticism, but persist," said BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter.
"It would be a surprise but a reliable source says he will play in Arizona."
Woods, announced on December 12 that he was taking an indefinite break from playing golf to tackle problems in his private life.
His last tournament was the Australian Masters in Melbourne, which he won on November 15. The crash happened 12 days later.
The Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper reports that his management team has approached organisers about the logistics of playing at the WGC event at Dove Mountain in Arizona.
But Carter said: "It remains hard to believe that Woods, who has not appeared in public since crashing his car outside his home, would choose to return at the Match Play.
The world's top-ranked 64 players automatically qualify for the Match Play event and competitors have until February 12 to notify organisers of any withdrawal.
But any comeback by Woods would need extra planning because of the intense media interest in him.
"Although he has been on 'indefinite leave' from the game he has only missed one tournament that he would routinely play, last week's US PGA Tour stop in San Diego," added Carter.
"The Matchplay is sponsored by Accenture, one of the companies that ended sponsorship deals with Woods in the wake of his fall from grace.
"It would be unlike Woods to play in a tournament backed by a sponsor that had embarrassingly ditched him.
"But, given this background, to return in Arizona could send a powerful message that he intends to be a changed man.
"The tournament is unique on the (American pro) golf calendar because it is a knock-out event culminating in a 36-hole final. Woods made his return from knee surgery there last year and has won it three times."

Omega Dubai Desert Classic report and halfway scores

Jaidee leads by one from Westwood,

Jimenez and Dodd as six Scots fail

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Asian No 1 Thongchai Jaidee carded a bogey-free second round of six under par 66 to claim a one-shot halfway lead at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic today.
World No 4 Lee Westwood blazed a flawless seven under par 65 in his best ever showing in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club to head the chasing pack at seven under alongside early pacesetters Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
Evergreen Spaniard Jiménez blazed seven birdies in a five under par 67, while Wales’ Dodd remained in contention with a bogey-free 69.
World No 59 Thongchai, who posted two European Tour victories last season, is reaping the benefits of long hours spent on the putting green to fine tune the weaker aspect of his game.
“I played very consistent, it was a solid day,” said the 40 year old former paratrooper.
“I hit 13 greens in regulation, missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better. That’s why my game is getting better.”
Defending champion Rory McIlroy (70), Edoardo Molinari (70), Alvaro Quiros (69), Australia’s Marcus Fraser (68) and Charl Schwartzel (70) are all well-placed at six under, with a two shot gap behind them to Paul Casey (71), Graeme McDowell (68) and Jeev Milkha Singh (72).
Westwood is still not fully satisfied with his new driver after cracking the face of his previous club in Qatar, but continued his love affair with Dubai following his superb Dubai World Championship success at the end of last year.
After earning a share of the lead with a superb up and down from the rough after driving the reachable par-4, the 36 year old Englishman missed a 10ft birdie chance at the last after a poor tee shot forced him to lay-up.
Westwood was briefly tempted to try for the green over the lake, but after a warning from caddie Billy Foster and after watching player partner Henrik Stenson find the water, he opted to play safe.
“I think we have had the hardest conditions over the first couple of days in the morning and then the afternoon. But you try and make the best of whatever is thrown at you,” said Westwood, who opened with a level par 72.
“And if you come out on the right end of that, obviously it gives you a massive confidence boost and it’s a big pat on the back.
“It’s the goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and getting accustomed to being under pressure.”
McIlroy looked in ominous form as the World No 9 briefly established a three-shot lead at eight under par in the morning following a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn.
But the 20-year-old, who claimed his first and only career title with a wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago in this tournament, found water at the last to run up a double bogey after leaving a seven iron approach just short to card a two under par 70.
“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend. Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work. I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more,” said McIlroy.
“There is a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after the last hole. I had not made a mistake all day and to do it at the last was disappointing, but if I make two birdies in the first two holes tomorrow all is forgotten.”
Italy's teenager British amateur champion Matteo Manassero carded a 72 for 141 to comfortably beat the cut (146 or better) at a second successive European Tour event with eight-time Major winner Tom Watson two shots further back after a two under par 70.
Only Ross Bain (143), Stephen Gallacher (144) and David Drysdale (146) of the Scots entrants will be competing over the weekend.
South African Open champion Richie Ramsay (76 for 147) missed the cut for a second time on his return after the Festive break. Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie also bowed out with rounds of 71 and 76.
Marc Warren (77-71) and Paul Lawrie (73-75) took two shots to many on the 148 mark.
Alastair Forsyth's disappointing returned continued with a 150 (77-73) total.
Gary Orr slipped from a first-day 73 to a 79 for 152.
SCOREBOARD
Emirates GC, Dubai
SECOND-ROUND TOTALS
Par 144 (2x72)
136 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66.
137 Stephen Dodd 68 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67, Lee Westwood 72 65
138 Rory McIlroy 68 70, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69
140 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72, Graeme McDowell 72 68, Paul Casey 69 71
141 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71, Richard Bland 74 67, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68, Matteo Manassero (Ita) (am) 69 72, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70, Darren Clarke 71 70
142 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69, James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74, Ross Fisher 70 72
143 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72, John Bickerton 73 70, David Lynn 72 71, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71, Ross Bain 72 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74, Bradley Dredge 72 71
144 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70, Robert Rock 70 74, Stephen Gallacher 73 71, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70, David Horsey 71 73, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73, Paul Broadhurst 72 72
145 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74, Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72, Simon Dyson 71 74, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69
146 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75, Chris Wood 72 74, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74, Damien McGrane 73 73, Erik Compton (USA) 73 73, Oliver Wilson 72 74, Paul Waring 74 72, Nick Dougherty 72 74, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69, Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73, David Drysdale 72 74, Mark Foster 74 72, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73
MISSED THE CUT
147 Richie Ramsay 71 76, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 75 72, Colin Montgomerie 71 76, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 74 73, Peter Lawrie 77 70, Shaun Micheel (USA) 77 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 80 67, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa) 74 73, Michael Hoey 75 72, Ross McGowan 75 72
148 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 74 74, Joost Luiten (Ned) 75 73, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 72 76, Mark Brown (Nzl) 78 70, Oliver Fisher 75 73, Anthony Wall 73 75, Marc Warren 77 71, Paul Lawrie 73 75, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 75 73, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 76 72, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 75 73
149 David Howell 76 73, Phillip Price 75 74, Seve Benson 74 75, Anthony Kang (USA) 77 72, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 76 73, Scott Hend (Aus) 77 72, Shane Lowry 75 74, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 77 72, Oskar Henningsson (Swe) 76 73
150 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 78 72, Alastair Forsyth 77 73, Jamie Donaldson 80 70, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 77, Sam Little 76 74, Graeme Storm 72 78
151 Danny Lee (Nzl) 74 77, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 74 77, Scott Strange (Aus) 77 74, Todd Hamilton (USA) 74 77
152 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 75 77, Steve Webster 76 76, Gary Orr 73 79, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 76 76, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 75 77, Mark O'Meara (USA) 77 75, Anirban Lahiri (Ind) 78 74, Barry Lane 74 78, Gregory Havret (Fra) 75 77
153 Richard Finch 80 73, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 74 79, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 74 79, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 76 77, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 76 77
154 Arjun Atwal (Ind) 77 77, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 75 79, Danny Willett 79 75
155 Michael Campbell (Nzl) 81 74
157 Gary Lockerbie 80 77, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 77 80
158 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 80 78, David Dixon 80 78
161 Wayne Westner (Rsa) 74 87
162 Miki Mirza (UAE) 81 81
163 Stephen Deane 82 81

MARS AND KIRADECH SHARE LEAD ON 138

AT ASIAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
Thailand ’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat stepped closer to victory at the Asian Tour International today but standing in his way is Filipino Mars Pucay.
The 39-year-old Pucay, who has plied his trade in Asia since 1995 without a win, fired a second successive three-under-par 69 at the Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok to share the halfway lead with co-overnight leader Kiradech, who returned a 70 for a six-under-par 138 total in the US$300,000 season-opening tournament.
One shot back is in-form Singaporean Lam Chih Bing, who also carded a 70 while American rookie David Johnson sneaked into contention with another 70 to lie three shots back with Thai duo Thammanoon Srirot and Wisut Artjanawat and Filipino Angelo Que, who shot the day’s best of 67.
Thai amateur Atiwit Janewattananond wrote a slice of history by becoming the youngest player at 14 years and 71 days to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour after shooting a 73 for tied eighth place on 142, with amongst others, Malaysia’s Ben Leong, India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar and eight-time Japan Tour winner Hideto Tanihara. Attiwit, a grade eight student and a member of the Thai amateur squad, eclipsed Chinese Taipei’s Lo Shih-kai, who was 14 years and 275 days at the 2003 Taiwan Open.
Pucay kept his round steady with four birdies against a lone bogey. “It was a great day for me. I hit the ball really well except for two tee shots which I managed to save par on the last hole. Other than that, I played really well,” he said.
The veteran Filipino, who holed the season’s first ace on Thursday, said the key this weekend would be to remain patient. “I am waiting for my first win, which is my goal this year. I’ll attack when I have an open chance but if the pins are tucked, I’ll play it safe. It’s tough out there,” said Pucay, who holds 11 career top-10s on the Asian Tour.
Former world junior champion Kiradech turned in 37 but fought back with four birdies and another bogey to keep alive his dreams of a first Asian Tour victory at home. “I had two three-putts for bogeys on the front nine. But on the back nine, I hit it closer to the pins,” said the burly Thai, who finished 30th on the Order of Merit as a rookie last year.
“I am hitting the driver well this week. I’m not feeling nervous at all. As I’m playing in Thailand , my family and friends are here and I’m not feeling too excited. I’m keeping my concentration well.”
Lam kept himself within touching distance of the leaders with a fighting performance. He won a domestic Thai event last weekend but a second Asian Tour triumph is very much the goal for the Singaporean.
“On the front nine, I was struggling but made a lot of par putts and on the back nine, I hit it good but missed a lot of opportunities. I’m still within striking distance. As long as I stay in contention, that’s the key,” said Lam.
“I know my swing pretty well now that when I hit a bad shot, I kind of know what I am doing wrong. My caddie told me to stay patient. On the 15th hole, I hit it to five feet and finally made one. And then I made a 12 footer on the next hole,” he said.
Lam was impressed by Kiradech’s game, saying the Thai could be the man to beat. “Kiradech makes the game look so easy. He hits it long and chips and putts well. He’s much longer than I am, about 20 or 30 yards easy. But at the end of the day, it’s the score that count,” said Lam, who is by no means a short hitter.
Johnson, a 22-year-old from Florida , shot three birdies against a lone bogey to move up the leaderboard on 141. Although it is his first time to Asia, he is feeling right at home in Bangkok.
“I grew up on these sort of stuff (grainy greens) and it’s very refreshing. My goal this year is to give myself an opportunity to play into the final groups and just learn and grow as a professional golfer. I’ve got no expectations. I have put myself in a good position and if I don’t pull it off, the experience will be good enough for me,” said Johnson, who was a semi-finalist in the 2008 US Amateur Public Links Championship.
Defending champion James Kamte of South Africa shot a second straight 73 to make the halfway cut right on the 146 mark, which saw 69 players progressing into the weekend rounds.

SECOND ROUND LEADERS
Par 144 (2x72)
138 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 68-70, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-69
139 Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-70
141 Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 72-69, David Johnson (USA) 71-70, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 72-69, Angelo Que (PHI) 74-67
142 Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 70-72, Hwang Inn-choon (KOR) 72-70, Kenichi Kuboya (JPN) 73-69, Lucas Lee (BRA) 68-74, Ben Leong (MAS) 70-72, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 71-71, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 69-73, Quincy Quek (SIN) 69-73, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 70-72, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-72, Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 69-73, Atiwit Janewattananond [A] (THA) 69-73

Visit www.asiantour.com for more information and live scoring from final two rounds.

Herman leads by three in Moonah Classic

FROM THE CBS SPORTS.com WEBSITE
FINGAL, Australia -- American Jim Herman has shot a 2-under-par 70 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the Moonah Classic today.
========================
• Moonah Classic leaderboard
========================
Herman, who shot a course-record 62 in the opening round at Moonah Links, had a bogey-free, two-round total of 12-under 132 on the course designed by five-time Open champion Peter Thomson.
Australian Steven Jones shot 70 and was in second place at 9-under.
He was followed by compatriot Andrew Buckle and Fabian Gomez of Argentina, both with 68s and tied for third, five strokes behind Herman in the tournament jointly sanctioned by the U.S. Nationwide and Australasian PGA tours.
American Douglas LaBelle (69), Australians Steven Bowditch (68) and Andre Stolz (72) and Canadian Jon Mills (70) were tied for fifth, six strokes off the lead.
Herman strong showing comes after missing the cut in his previous seven tournaments.
"That's the high point right now, staying bogey-free," Herman said. "There's plenty of birdie opportunities but to not give any back so far is pretty fulfilling for me.
"I just wanted to do the same things I did yesterday, just drive the ball well, stay out of the fairway bunkers and give myself opportunities."
Herman had an early start today after his late one Thursday, which he preferred. And the wind picked up during the afternoon, helping to protect his lead.
"I had a quick turnaround, which was nice," Herman said. "Keep the momentum going was a good thing for me. I didn't have to sit around."
Defending champion Ewan Porter of Australia shot a 79 and missed the cut.

Mickelson's poor finish leaves him eight shots in arrears

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Phil Mickelson put the wedge controversy behind him but his bid for a third successive Northern Trust Open victory got off to a slow start at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles.
The three-time major winner had drawn heavy criticism at last week's Farmers Insurance Open when he chose to exploit a loophole in the new rules allowing only clubs with shallow and narrow V grooves by putting in play a pre-1990 Ping Eye 2 wedge, but said on Wednesday he would not use it this week "out of respect" for his fellow professionals.
After 11 holes of his first round at the par-71 Riviera, the world number two was three under par, four shots back on clubhouse leader and fellow American Dustin Johnson.
Mickelson's round began to fall apart from there, however, with bogeys at the par-four 12th and 15th holes and then the par-three 16th as the left-hander fell back to level par. There was more woe as Mickelson, who had opened with a 63 in 2009, also bogeyed the par-four 18th to leave him with a one-over 72, eight shots behind Johnson.
The early-starting Johnson fired a seven-under 64 to lead by a stroke from Argentina's Andres Romero.
Of the afternoon starters in Pacific Palisades, Kevin Stadler got off to a fast start at six under after eight holes, having begun his round at the famous par-four 10th. The front nine proved less productive despite a birdie at the first, with a bogey at the second followed by pars all the way home for a share of second place with Romero as he starts the second round on his 30th birthday.
Americans Ricky Barnes and Brandt Snedeker were a further shot off the lead at five under with world number three Steve Stricker one of a trio at four under, along with fellow Americans Steve Lowery and Cameron Beckman after 67s.
England's Luke Donald, Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa, former world number one David Duval and veterans Scott Verplank and Jesper Parnevik were all part of a large group on three under. Sweden's Parnevik carded his 68 despite a bout of sciatica and credited some great putting.
Englishman Justin Rose finished at two under, as did newly-appointed US Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul Goydos. Rose's compatriot Greg Owen carded a level-par 71 but Goydos' captain, Corey Pavin, fared less well with a one-over 72.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington also got his season up and running with a 72, Scotland's Martin Laird and England's Brian Davis shooting the same score. Harrington had been practising with an Eye 2 wedge but opted not to put it in play, leaving only Ryder Cup player Hunter Mahan (71) and former Masters champion Fred Couples (69) using the controversial club.
FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 71
Note: First round play has been suspended due to Darkness & will resume at 8am local time. Second round play will begin as scheduled
64 Dustin Johnson
65 Kevin Stadler, Andres Romero (Arg)
66 Ricky Barnes, Brandt Snedeker
67 Steve Stricker, Cameron Beckman, Steve Lowery
68 Charley Hoffman, Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), David Duval, Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn), J.B. Holmes, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe), Ernie Els (Rsa), Roland Thatcher, Luke Donald (Eng), Jonathan Byrd, Scott Verplank, Troy Matteson, Jesper Parnevik (Swe), Stephen Ames (Can)
69 Matt Kuchar, Kevin Sutherland, Nick O'Hern (Aus), Fred Couples, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), Kevin Streelman, D.A. Points, Michael Allen, Justin Rose (Eng), Paul Goydos, Mike Weir (Can), Craig Bowden, Tim Clark (Rsa), Nicholas Thompson, Jason Bohn
70 Jeff Overton, Matt Bettencourt, John Mallinger, Webb Simpson, Will MacKenzie, Jeff Klauk, Steve Marino, Chad Campbell, Brett Quigley, Bo Van Pelt, Briny Baird, Rodney Pampling (Aus), John Merrick, J J Henry, George McNeill, Carl Pettersson (Swe), Ryan Moore
71 Michael Letzig, Jeff Quinney, Woody Austin, James Driscoll, Brenden Pappas (Rsa), Greg Owen (Eng), Justin Leonard, Marc Leishman (Aus), Jimmy Walker, Bryce Molder, Stuart Appleby (Aus), Y.E. Yang (Kor), Chris Stroud, Jason Dufner, Greg Chalmers (Aus), Bubba Watson, Stewart Cink, Angel Cabrera (Arg), Parker McLachlin, Hunter Mahan, John Rollins, Anthony Kim, Jim Furyk, Joshua Wooding, K J Choi (Kor), Johnson Wagner
72 Bill Lunde, Charles Howell III, Bob Estes, Bill Haas, Martin Laird (Sco), Brian Davis (Eng), Davis Love III, Lee Janzen, Scott Piercy, Mark Wilson, Charlie Wi (Kor), Kevin Na, Phil Mickelson, Aaron Baddeley (Aus), Robert Allenby (Aus), Corey Pavin, Padraig Harrington (Irl), D.J. Trahan
73 Jerry Kelly, Pat Perez, Adam Scott (Aus), Vaughn Taylor, Steve Flesch, Ted Purdy, Ben Curtis, James Nitties (Aus), Vijay Singh (Fij), Ben Crane, Tim Petrovic, Ryuji Imada (Jpn), Marc Turnesa
74 Michael Bradley, Scott McCarron, Chris Couch, Jason Day (Aus), Richard S Johnson (Swe), Nathan Green (Aus), Jeff Templeton, Rich Beem, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn)
75 Daniel Chopra (Swe), John Senden (Aus), Rocco Mediate, Chez Reavie, Alex Cejka (Ger)
76 Nick Watney
77 Michael Sim (Sco/Aus)
78 Brad Faxon, Mathew Goggin (Aus

James Byrne having a nightmare on Hawaii

Banchory's James Byrne is 20 over par after 36 holes of a US college tournament on Hawaii. Switch over to http://www.kirkwoodgolf.co.uk/ for the story.