Bellsouth Classic 2006

Phil Mickelson made the best possible start in his title defence at the BellSouth Classic, moving one stroke clear with a sparkling nine-under-par 63 in Thursday's opening round.

The world number four, who triumphed in a five-way playoff at last year's weather-delayed tournament, reeled off 10 birdies and a bogey in near-perfect conditions at the TPC at Sugarloaf.

Six birdies in the first seven holes paved the way for a scorching outward nine of five-under 31.

He then picked up four more shots after the turn to finish one ahead of Australia's Gavin Coles, whose 64 included a holed bunker shot from 189 yards for an eagle-two at the 17th.

"It was fun day, a fun start," a smiling Mickelson told reporters after equalling the course record. "I birdied the first couple of holes and then I was off and running.

"I'm ecstatic with how it turned out. I hit a lot of good shots, but I also followed it with some good putts. It was a really enjoyable day.

"It's nice to have a good round here. I really like this golf course.

"I'd like to follow this round with a couple more because that would really give me some confidence heading into next week," the twice major champion added, referring to next week's U.S. Masters.

American Charles Warren, who drove the green to set up an eagle-two at the 310-yard 13th, fired a 65 while Britain's Ian Poulter and two more Americans, Joe Durant and Scott Parel, carded matching 66s to share fourth place.

Britain's David Howell bogeyed his final hole, the par-four ninth, for a 67 and a tie for seventh with American journeyman Brett Wetterich.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, boosted by a 50-foot eagle putt at the par-five 18th, and Britain's Luke Donald were among a group of eight on 68.

World number three Retief Goosen, the highest-ranked player in the field and winner here in 2002, opened with a 69.

Coles, playing the 2006 PGA Tour on a medical exemption after cracking a rib at last year's John Deere Classic, was the surprise early leader after shooting his lowest score on Tour.

The 37-year-old from New South Wales raced to the turn in six-under 30 after teeing off at the par-five 10th.

He picked up further shots on one, five and eight, along with a bogey at the par-four seventh.

"I had a nice little run from the 15th which sort of got me going," Coles said. "I birdied 15, parred 16 and I holed with a five-iron out of the bunker on 17.

"Then I made a long putt on 18 for birdie and hit the flagstick with my second shot on the first.

"I've been working hard with my coach, really hard, and my swing is getting better all the time. I'm feeling more comfortable out here all the time."

Harrington conceded he had been fortunate to eagle the 18th after a series of missed putts from around 15 feet over his first seven holes.

"I wasn't even thinking that putt might drop until it caught the left side and dropped in," he said, having set up the eagle with a hybrid three-iron second shot from 260 yards.