ON THE LINKS

ON THE LINKS

Thursday’s results

HSBC CHAMPIONS

SHANGHAI

Rory McIlroy finally climbed out of bed 10 pounds lighter from a bout of food poisoning and shot 68. Jordan Spieth returned from his longest break without touching his golf clubs and also had a 68. Both felt good about their start Thursday in the HSBC Champions. It just wasn’t enough to be anywhere near the lead.

Branden Grace of South Africa, a month removed from his sterling performance in the Presidents Cup, birdied half of the holes at soft, vulnerable Sheshan International for a 9-under 63. It was the lowest opening round in the 11-year history of the World Golf Championship event

Kevin Kisner made his debut in China by playing bogey-free for a 64. He was joined by Steven Bowditch of Australia and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, who opened with five birdies in six holes and was 7 under through 10 holes.

CHARLES SCHWAB CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.

Bernhard Langer left Colin Montgomerie and Jeff Maggert and everyone else behind in the Champions Tour’s season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Langer shot a 7-under 63 on Desert Mountain’s Cochise Course to take a two-stroke lead. The 58-year-old German star began the week third in the Charles Schwab Cup race, 66 points behind Montgomerie and 27 behind Maggert. With players receiving a point for every $500 earned in the $2.5 million tournament, Langer was $33,000 behind Montgomerie and $13,500 behind Maggert.

Montgomerie had a 70, leaving him tied for 17th in the 30-man field. Maggert three-putted the par-5 18th for a bogey and a 72 that dropped him into a tie for 24th.

SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP

JACKSON, MISS.

Roberto Castro shot a 10-under 62, his lowest score on the PGA Tour, to take a two-shot lead in the Sanderson Farms Championship.The 30-year-old Castro avoided trouble all afternoon with a bogey-free round in nearly ideal conditions for low scores. He made 10 birdies — five on each nine at the Country Club of Jackson.

Conditions were forgiving thanks to a course softened by rain and very little wind. That could change in the coming days — more rain is expected starting today.

Aaron Baddeley and Bryce Molder were tied for second at 64. Adam Hadwin and Brian Davis shot 65.

Associated Press