American Hart takes control at Phoenix Open

LOS ANGELES, Feb 2 (Reuters) American Dudley Hart raised hopes of a first PGA Tour victory in seven years by grabbing a one-shot lead at the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The 38-year-old from New York reeled off eight birdies and a lone bogey en route to a seven-under-par 64 in cool, overcast conditions on the TPC Scottsdale Stadium course.

One stroke behind was 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms, along with fellow Americans Tom Pernice junior, next year's Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger, John Rollins and Brian Gay, plus Australia's Aaron Baddeley.

Hart was among the first three groups to tee off at the par-four 10th in the event widely considered the PGA Tour's party stop with more than 500,000 rowdy fans expected to gather during the week.

After starting with three straight pars, he launched festivities with a run of seven birdies in his next 10 holes to rocket up the leaderboard.

He added another birdie at the eighth, with his only blemish a bogey-six at the par-five 15th.

''The course was a little softer after the rain yesterday, and that always helps our cause,'' Hart told reporters yesterday.

''You can kind of throw the ball at the pin and not worry about it getting away from you too much.

GOOD OPPORTUNITIES ''I hit a lot of good mid to short irons, gave myself a lot of good birdie opportunities and putted pretty well,'' added the American, whose last PGA Tour victory came at the 2000 Honda Classic.

''You make eight birdies, you've got to be making some putts.'' Compatriot Charles Howell III, the FedExCup points leader with two runner-up finishes in just three starts this season, maintained his excellent form by opening with a 67.

That left him one better than 2002 champion Chris DiMarco, who got to six under before dropping three shots in his last three holes.

Several big names struggled, twice winner Phil Mickelson and US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia returning 72s and former world number one David Duval battling to a 75.

Left-hander Mickelson, who has finished outside the top 40 in his only two other starts this season, produced another messy display littered with six bogeys, three birdies and an eagle.

''It wasn't a very good round,'' said Mickelson, who is preparing to defend his Masters title in April.

''I made a number of bogeys and made some good birdies, but just didn't get it under par.

''I took three, four months off and I knew my game would be a little rusty, and it has been.'' Reuters SBA VP0720