SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. ? Scott Verplank, never known for distance off the tee, had no problem with the newly lengthened course at the FBR Open. Verplank solved the TPC of Scottsdale’s puzzles with an 8-under 63 Thursday to lead the former Phoenix Open by one stroke over late-charging Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson, four days removed from his victory at the Bob Hope, had six of his eight birdies after the turn and carded a 64.

“It was a fun day,” Mickelson said. “It didn’t look like it was going to be anything special — it just looked it was going to be a solid, few-under-par round, and then something kind of clicked there. I don’t know what it was.”

Verplank breezed through an eight-birdie, mistake-free round on a course many thought favored long hitters.

“I found the feel for the greens to make some putts,” Verplank said. “Last week at the Bob Hope was my first tournament since the Tour Championship, and I really struggled with my putting. I made a couple of nice ones early today, and I kind of got in a rhythm.”

Jonathan Kaye shot 65, with Steve Flesch, Scott McCarron, Rod Pampling, Brenden Pappas, Chris Riley and Jeff Sluman at 66.

The revamped layout proved tricky for some, notably defending Phoenix champion Vijay Singh. He, 2000 winner Tom Lehman and John Daly were part of a cluster at 71.

Rocco Mediate, who won on this course in 1999 and tops all money-winners at the tournament, carded a 72. Twenty-five players, including Mike Weir at 6-under after 17 holes, were unable to finish because a 20-minute frost delay at the start.