STEVE STRICKER fired a seven-birdie 65 to take the early second-round lead in Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club, California yesterday.

Taking his total to 10-under-par after a first round 67, Striker leads by five shots from Anthonmy Kim, who added a 66 to his opening 71 for a halfway total of 137.

Kim opened his round on the back nine, making birdies the 10th - where he drove the green - and 11th but lost ground to Stricker when bogeying the 15th and the 18th on the run home.

A day after bogeying four of his last seven holes, Phil Mickelson birdied three of his final six holes on his way to shooting a five-under-par 65 that takes him to four-under-par 138 and within a half-dozen strokes of the current lead. Also on 138 is Ernie Els, who shot 66.