On the Links | Thursday’s professional golf results

DELL MATCH PLAY

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Jordan Spieth had another stress-free day in the Dell Match Play, avoiding some of the drama the 18th hole provided Thursday. So did Jason Day, whose back felt strong enough to drive the first green at 381 yards with a helping wind. Fifteen matches went the distance at Austin Country Club, and there was no shortage of surprises. Daniel Berger never finished against Phil Mickelson when his club hit a rock structure on the way down. Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler escaped with half-points. It all set the stage for Friday when all but 16 players from the 64-man field leave town. Already, 22 players have been mathematically eliminated. Spieth again built a big lead and lost only one hole in a 5-and-4 victory over Victor Dubuisson of France. He has played 30 holes in his two victories, and needs only to halve his match today against Justin Thomas to reach the round of 16.

KIA CLASSIC

CARLSBAD, CALIF.

Inbee Park shot a 5-under 67 for a share of the lead in the LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic, the final event before the major ANA Inspiration next week in Rancho Mirage. Park played the back nine at Aviara in 4 under in her afternoon round, making her final birdie on the par-5 17th. She hit 11 of 14 fairways in regulation, 14 of 18 greens, and had 27 putts. The second-ranked South Korean player withdrew because of a back pain after a first-round 80 in the opener in the Bahamas and has struggled to regain that form that carried her to two major titles and five victories last year. She tied for 30th in Thailand and Singapore and missed the cut last week in the Founders Cup in Phoenix. Morning starters Brittany Lang, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Ai Miyazato matched Park at 67, and top-ranked Lydia Ko was another stroke back along with Jane Park and Mi Jung Hur.

PUERTO RICO OPEN

RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO

Rafael Compos shot an 8-under 64 in front of his home fans to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open. The 27-year-old Compos had eight birdies in a bogey-free round at Coco Beach. He made four straight birdies on Nos. 9-12, added another on the par-5 15th and parred the final three holes. George McNeill, the 2012 winner, was a stroke back.

Associated Press