My Coach Vinny

Phil Mickelson, who hadn't played the Nissan since 2001, got some tips Wednesday from LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, who is a member at Riviera.

Pat Perez, who like Mickelson shot a 5-under 66 in the opening round, received instruction the same day from a much unlikely source: actor Joe Pesci.

"I worked with Pesci on my putting," Perez admitted. "He actually made sense for once."

Perez said he usually plays a round with Pesci at Lakeside prior to the Nissan Open.

"He said, 'Just barely hold the putter ... you're doing this and doing that,' and he got some other words in there, too. But basically, just hold it and let it swing and feel how far you want to hit it."

The advice apparently worked, as Perez made 15 of 17 putts of less than 10 feet. He converted three birdies in the 13- to 14-foot range.

Of course, it also helped that Perez made three more birdies of less than 3 feet, what he termed "kick-ins."

"I was working on so many things (with the swing and putting)," said Perez, "that I didn't even concentrate on what my score was."