ON THE LINKS Thursday’s pro golf events

RBC HERITAGE

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.

Bud Cauley took advantage of pristine, windless conditions at Harbour Town Golf Links with birdies on four of final five holes for an 8-under 63 and a two-shot lead after the opening round of the RBC Heritage. Cauley hadn’t made many waves at Harbour Town his first three visits with two missed cuts and only one round in the 60s. This time, though, with mild, 70-degree conditions, practically no wind and abundant sunshine, Cauley made eight birdies in a bogey-free round, including three straight to finish with a flourish. The 63 was one shy of the 27-year-old Cauley’s career low (62 at the McGladney Classic in 2012) and two off the tournament mark of 61 shared by David Frost and Troy Merritt. Cauley was two strokes in front of Luke Donald, Graham DeLaet and Sam Saunders, the grandson of the late Arnold Palmer. Russell Henley continued his recent run of top-flight golf with a 66 to join a group that included former U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson and Ian Poulter. But it was Cauley’s strong finish that led the way.

LPGA LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP

KAPOLEI, HAWAII

Ariya Jutanugarn and In-Kyung Kim each birdied their final hole to share the lead halfway through the second round of the LPGA Lotte Championship. Jutanugarn had a bogey-free 6-under 66, and Kim shot 64 to reach 9-under 135 at Ko Olina Golf Club. Jutanugarn won five times last season and was the LPGA Tour’s player of the year. Alena Sharp (69) and first-round co-leader Mi Hyang Lee (70) were a stroke back. Among those another shot back were second-ranked So Yeon Ryu (69), coming off a victory in the major ANA Inspiration, and Olympic champion Inbee Park.

TROPHEE HASSAN II

RABAT, MOROCCO

Gary Stal, Gregory Havret, James Morrison, and Lucas Bjerregaard made 3-under-par 70s to share the lead after the first round of the European Tour’s Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. Stal was the early pacesetter while Havret and Morrison also made five birdies and two bogeys to be part of the leading group at the Royal Dar Es Salam club. Bjerregaard’s adventurous round included an eagle, six birdies, and five bogeys. Former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari birdied his last two holes to move a shot off the lead.

WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

WILMINGTON, N.C.

Dustin Johnson’s injured back must be feeling better. The world’s No. 1 player said he’ll return to the PGA Tour at the Wells Fargo Championships at Eagle Point Golf Club from May 4-7. The Wells Fargo Championship announced Johnson’s status. Johnson was among the favorites to win the Masters last week after winning three straight tournaments. But a fall at his rental home hurt his back the day before the year’s first major was to start. Johnson warmed up last Thursday on the Augusta National practice range and came out to the putting green near the first tee. But he headed off the course and withdrew with a bad back. Johnson said then he had planned to take three weeks off following the Masters.

Associated Press