PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- Jimmy Walker is bidding to become the ninth first-time winner at the Northern Trust Open, and the first since Len Mattiace won at Riviera in 2002.

The Texan has momentum, too, after tying for ninth last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for the second straight year. He ended up sharing fourth at last year's Northern Trust Open so his success -- Walker started the third round at 4 under after shooting 66 Friday -- here is hardly unprecedented.

In fact, according to Walker's wife, Erin, Riviera is Walker's favorite course. Here is what she wrote in her blog at www.tourwifetravels.com

"As I have said before, the West Coast Swing is always a highlight of our year and especially our week at Riviera. I may have said this last year, but whenever anyone asks Jimmy what his favorite course to play his answer is always Riviera. He claims that if he could only play one course, every day for the rest of his life, this course would be it. (And yes, he has played Augusta before!)"