GOLF roundup

HONDA CLASSIC

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.

Playing in America for the first time this year, Rory McIlroy’s first shot was a 2-iron out of play. A relentless wind with gusts that approached 35 mph provided a rude welcome to just about everyone Thursday at the Honda Classic except for Jim Herman, who somehow made it around PGA National without a bogey for a 5-under 65 and a one-shot lead. McIlroy managed to salvage a tough day with by holing a 30-foot birdie putt and two-putting for birdie on the 18th hole for a 3-over 73. It was his highest opening-round score to par since a 3-over 74 at The Barclays seven months ago. And he didn’t seem too bothered. The world’s No. 1 player was competing for the first time since he won in Dubai a month ago. And he wasn’t alone. He played with Dustin Johnson, who birdied his last two holes for a 77, and Phoenix Open winner Brooks Koepka, who shot a 78. Only 19 players managed to break par. Herman didn’t mind the wind, though he moved to south Florida more than a decade ago and was surprised earlier in the week when there wasn’t hardly any wind at all. Even with a 65, it still wasn’t easy. He twice saved par from the fairway and rolled in a 35-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. Brendan Steele pitched in from about 35 yards to save bogey on the 14th hole, a key moment in his round of 66. Martin Flores, Kapalua winner Patrick Reed and Padraig Harrington were at 67. U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer was among those at 68.

LPGA THAILAND

CHONBURI, THAILAND

Yani Tseng shot an opening 6-under 66 Thursday to take a share of the lead with American rivals Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang at the LPGA Thailand. Tseng, a former No. 1 from Taiwan who won the title in Chonburi in 2011 and 2012, had seven birdies and a bogey at Siam Country Club. “Could be better, could be worse,” said Tseng, a five-time major champion. “I miss(ed) couple short putts, but I just tell myself to smile and let it go.” Lewis, who only got her clubs back on Wednesday after an airline had misplaced them, started with an eagle on the opening hole. “No. 1 was just a bonus, holing out with a wedge shot there,” said Lewis, who also had six birdies. “I don’t know if I’ve ever shot 29 before, so it was cool.” Lang had five of her eight birdies on the back nine. “I got off to a good start with a birdie on 10 and 11,” Lang said. “I was just really seeing my shots and committing to them. Just felt effortless really.” Defending champion Anna Nordqvist (72) had three birdies and three bogeys.

JOBURG OPEN

JOHANNESBURG

South Africa’s Nic Henning shot a course-record 9-under 62 on Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s West Course to take the first-round lead in the Joburg Open. Henning had an eagle and seven birdies. South Africa’s Tjaart Van der Walt and Titch Moore and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters shot 63, also on the West Course. They will play the more difficult East Course today. The final two rounds also will be played on the East Course.

Associated Press