ON THE LINKS | Friday’s professional golf news and notes

THE MASTERS

Tiger Woods is going to Augusta National next week — to eat, not play. Woods made it official Friday night what most observers figured all along. Recovery from two back surgeries last year has not progressed to the point where it’s wise for him to tee it up at the Masters. It will be the second time in the last three years that Woods has not played the Masters. Woods did say on his website that he has been hitting golf balls and training daily. But he still had no timetable for when he would return to competition. He has said all along that he will not rush his return to golf. Woods turned 40 on Dec. 30. He said he plans to be at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday.

ANA INSPIRATION

RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF.

Lexi Thompson birdied the final hole for a 4-under 68 and a share of the ANA Inspiration lead with Ai Miyazato on Friday. The 21-year-old American holed a 30-foot putt on the par-5 18th to reach 7 under at Mission Hills in the LPGA Tour’s first major championship of the year. She won the event in 2014. Miyazato, also tied for the first-round lead, followed her opening 67 with a 70. The 30-year-old Japanese player also finished with a birdie, hitting to 2 feet on the par-5 ninth. Top-ranked Lydia Ko was a stroke back along with Suzann Pettersen, In Gee Chun, Lizette Salas, Sung Hyun Park and Lee-Anne Pace. Ko had a 68, Pettersen, Salas and Park shot 67, Chun had a 69, and Pace a 70.

HOUSTON OPEN

HOUSTON

Charley Hoffman had a 2-under 70 for a one-shot lead over Jamie Lovemark at the Houston Open on Friday. Lovemark was a former NCAA champion seeking his first PGA Tour title after having his career affected by back surgery. He was one of four players to shoot the day’s low score, 68, under conditions that worsened as the afternoon went on, which helped protect Hoffman from the field. Dustin Johnson was among those chasing Hoffman, who opened with a 64 Thursday, but Johnson dropped back to 8 under with a bogey on 17, closing with a 71 after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt on 18. Johnson was in the last group to finish the round before darkness stopped play. A 93-minute morning weather delay brought on by rain and lightning in the area ensured that 27 players will have to complete the second round this morning.

Associated Press