World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh shot a five-under-par 66 at The Riviera County Club today to be among six golfers sharing the lead after one round of the $6.7 million Northern Trust Open.
Retief Goosen, James Hahn, Daniel Summerhays, Nick Watney and Derek Fathauer are also tied for the lead. Carlos Ortiz of Mexico is one shot back at four-under-par 67.
Singh has won 34 PGA Tour events, but none since the 2008 Deutsche Bank Championship. His only top 10 finish since the 2013 season came in the first event of the Frys.com Open, which he finished second.
Singh will turn 52 on Sunday, the final day of the tournament.
Watney began his round with an eagle. He had three consecutive birdies from the sixth through eighth holes and another birdie on the 17th.
Since 2000, the only players to lead or share the first round lead of the Northern Trust Open to go on to win the tournament were Phil Mickelson in 2009 and Aaron Baddeley in 2011.
Defending champion Bubba Watson shot a one-under-par 70, four shots behind the co-leaders. He also shot one-under-par to begin last year’s tournament.
The field includes 11 of the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Ranking and 20 of the top 50. Watson, who is ranked third, is the highest- ranked player in the tournament.
The winner will receive $1.206 million.
Tournament organizers have added an upscale lounge and a Saturday concert by the alternative rock band O.A.R. in an attempt to lure fans.
The Green Room combines open-air seating with exclusive culinary and entertainment options.
“Food is everything to Angelenos, so we wanted to give our guests a new yet authentic L.A. experience,” said Northern Trust Open Executive Director O.D. Vincent.
A different restaurant or caterer will provide three to four items in The Green Room each day — The Roost at LA Farm Friday, Fill R Up Gastro Garage Saturday and The Prince & Pantry Sunday.
The Green Room is located between the 10th hole and practice area.
O.A.R. is scheduled to play from 3:45-5 p.m. Saturday on The Riviera Country Club’s driving range. Fans purchasing a clubhouse or grounds ticket for Saturday’s play will be admitted free to the O.A.R. concert.
All active duty, reserve, military retirees, non-retired veterans and their dependents will be admitted free of charge by presenting valid military identification. They will also receive access to the Patriots’ Outpost, a private hospitality area specifically for military personnel.
The tournament has changed its parking arrangements. Free parking Friday will be at Will Rodgers Beach Parking Lot 3, with complementary round-trip shuttle service to and from The Riviera Country Club.
Parking Saturday and Sunday will be at the Water Garden at 1620 26th St. in Santa Monica. There is a $5 per person fee for round-trip shuttle service to and from The Riviera Country Club. Military personnel and their families with a tournament ticket and children under 18 accompanied by an adult are not required to pay for the shuttle.
There is no additional parking lot entry fee.
