Stricker tied for lead

LOS ANGELES – Dustin Johnson made a hole-in-one and Steve Stricker had seven birdies to brighten an otherwise dreary day at rainy Riviera and finish atop the leaderboard Friday at the Northern Trust Open.

Johnson's 8-iron from 152 yards landed between the pin and the famous bunker in the middle of the green at No. 6, spinning back into the cup for an ace that put him in the lead for most of the afternoon. He had two holes left when play was halted by darkness.

Stricker, playing in a morning rain that never relented, chipped in for birdie on the 18th and nearly made an ace on No. 4 when his hybrid from 230 yards lipped out. He shot a 6-under 65 and had the clubhouse lead.

"I'm very happy to be done with the round, to tell you the truth," said the former Illini, who was at 10-under 132. "It was pretty miserable out there today."

Johnson, also 10 under after making his lone bogey on the 15th, was to return today to face the par-5 17th and the 473-yard closing hole at Riviera, which was playing so long in the cold and rain that some players barely reached the green with a 3-wood.

Johnson and Stricker were 3 shots clear of Andres Romero, who had three holes remaining. Forty-one players failed to finish the second round. Ex-Illini D.A. Points finished at 1 under.

Phil Mickelson, trying to become the first player to win three straight years at Riviera, had a 66 and was at 4-under 138.

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