The Northern Trust Open teed off on Thursday at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Although Phil Mickelson shot an 8-under 63, his thunder was stolen by the official news of Tiger Woods’ eminent return.

Woods will play competitive golf for the first time since last year’s dramatic 91-hole U.S. Open victory at next week’s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton GC. Tiger is the defending champion at the event, after raising the trophy in 2003 and 2004.

The last time Woods was on the PGA Tour was June 16, 2008, when he defeated Rocco Meadiate in a 19-hole playoff for his third U.S. Open title and the 14th major championship victory of his career. Next week, Woods will hit the links once again, following back-to-back knee operations in April and June of last year.

“I’m now ready to play again,” Woods said, on his official website.

Poor Lefty. Once Tiger’s chief rival, the three-time major champ couldn’t stay on top of the golf news leaderboard despite firing a blistering 8-under 63 at Riviera. Still, with a win in the Northern Trust Open, which has a $6.3 million total purse and $1.134 million winner’s share, Mickelson could find himself back in the spotlight; and the Tour could have a great battle heading into next week’s WGC event.

Mickelson won the Northern Trust Open last year, shooting a 272 to edge Jeff Quinney by two strokes. Lefty was also runner-up in 2007, losing to Charles Howell III in a playoff. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the world’s No. 5 ranked golfer ends a slow start — which includes missing the cut at the FBR Open, finishing T-42 at the Buick Invitational and T-55 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

“I have a lot of confidence coming onto this golf course,” said Mickelson, referring to Riviera CC.

Another big name is strolling the fairways at Riviera, but most fans have probably never heard of him. Japanese prodigy Ryo (pronounced “Yo”) Ishikawa is a 17-year-old who is making his PGA Tour debut this week, after already receiving a rare and coveted invitation from Augusta National GC to play in The Masters this year.

Although Ryo only shot a 2-over 73 in his opening round, it was an impressive performance considering there were over 100 members of the Japanese media on-hand providing a circus atmosphere and additional pressure on the teenager. But according to Ryo’s father, it’s even worse in Japan.

Highlighted by Lefty and Ryo, this week’s field also includes two-time Northern Trust Open champ Mike Weir (2003, 2004), Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, K.J. Choi and Brandt Snedeker, just to name a few players.

The Northern Trust Open will be televised by GOLF Channel (3:00-6:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday and Friday before CBS (3:00-6:30 p.m. ET) takes over the weekend coverage.

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