Reuters/Pacific Palisades, California

Fred Couples plays his tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on Friday in Pacific Palisades, California. (AFP
Veteran Fred Couples loved playing at Riviera Country Club the first time he saw the course and for the umpteenth time in recent years he defied back pain to soar to the top of a leaderboard.
The 51-year-old, long beloved by the fans here, coolly sank a 100-foot eagle putt at the par-five first on the way to a flawless five-under-par 66 in the second round of the Northern Trust Open on Friday.
Couples also sank two 30-footers for birdie on the classic Riviera layout to take a two-shot lead at eight-under 134, finishing his round in dry, overcast conditions before a late afternoon thunderstorm swept across the course.
“Riviera is a special spot for me,” Couples told reporters. “I have won twice but I’ve had a lot of other great finishes and fun rounds, and today was one of them.”
Big-hitting American J.B. Holmes briefly joined Couples at the top before double-bogeying the par-four last for a 69 to share second place with Australian John Senden (69).
Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa (67) and 2001 winner Robert Allenby of Australia (70) were among a group of five knotted at five under when play was suspended for the day in fading light.
Twenty-six players will have to complete the second round on Saturday morning, among them American Spencer Levin who was at six under with three holes remaining.
Couples, champion here in 1990 and 1992, began another marathon day at Riviera a stroke off the pace but immediately took charge with his spectacular eagle start.
He rolled in a 30-footer to birdie the ninth and reach the turn in three-under 32 before picking up further shots at the 12th and 15th to tighten his grip on the PGA Tour event.
“I’ve played 150 rounds on this course probably,” Couples said. “I don’t think anyone in this field has played as many rounds as I have, so that’s an advantage for me.”
Holmes, lifted by four birdies on the back nine, joined Couples at the top before stumbling at the last where he overshot the green with his approach and took four more shots.
“I’m playing pretty good,” Holmes said. “I’m definitely not disappointed with it (my game). I’m not getting everything out of it I think I can ... but I’m just playing solid.”
Senden, one of nine players tied for the lead when the first round was completed earlier in the day, got to seven under before three-putting for bogey at the last.
“Obviously I didn’t want to hit it as far past ... but I wanted to sort of just baby it down there,” he said of his first putt from 10 feet which ended up 12 feet beyond the cup.
“It wasn’t a great putt, but, I’ve been putting well, and I’m taking that into the weekend.”
American world number four Phil Mickelson, a Riviera fan favourite and winner here in 2008 and 2009, limped to a 70 that included five birdies and four bogeys.
“Today I played absolutely terrible,” the left-hander said after finishing the round a distant seven strokes behind the pacesetting Couples. “I didn’t know where it was going.
“I could have missed it way left, way right,” Mickelson added after reaching only six of 18 greens in regulation.
“I’m not pleased being in the position where I’m at, but it could be a lot worse. I should be within striking distance if I can go out and shoot some hot round tomorrow.”
The cut was projected to fall at three over with world number nine Luke Donald of Britain and American D.A. Points, winner at Pebble Beach on Sunday, among those certain to miss out.