Jon Rahm shot a 10-under-par 62 in perfect conditions at La Quinta Country Club to take the first-round lead in the US PGA Tour event.
The top-ranked player in the field at No.3 in the world, Rahm eagled the par-5 fifth - hitting a 5-iron from 215 yards to 5 feet - and played the first six holes in 6 under.
"It's quite simple, honestly," Rahm said. "Beyond perfect drive, perfect second shot, perfect putt.
"You're not going to make every single putt. You're not going to hit every single shot perfect.
"I do feel like I could have made a couple more putts, just because I had so many that were makeable. But there's a couple birdie putts, like the one on 14, that, if I'm being quite honest, I did not hit the line I wanted and it still went in dead centre."
The 23-year-old Spaniard had the lowest score of his PGA Tour career, topping a 64 two years ago at Congressional in his first round as a professional.
Austin Cook, Jason Kokrak and Andrew Landry were a stroke back. Cook played PGA West's Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course, and Kokrak and Landry opened at La Quinta. Nick Watney and Grayson Murray each shot 65 to top the players at PGA West's Stadium Course.
Phil Mickelson had a 70 at La Quinta in his first tournament round since late October.
"It was fun to get back out and be competitive," Mickelson said. "For some reason, I'm stuck on 70 here at La Quinta. Whether I get off to a good start or a bad one, I end up shooting the same score.
"With the exception of one tee shot, I drove it pretty well today and putted OK."
Greg Chalmers is the best-placed Australian and shares 42nd after a first round of 68.
Matt Jones is one shot further back at 3-under-par and in a tie for 64th.
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