ON THE LINKS Thursday’s pro golf results

TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

CROMWELL, CONN.

Jordan Spieth didn’t take long to figure out TPC River Highlands. Making his debut at the Connecticut course, the 23-year-old Texan had eight birdies and a bogey Thursday for a 7-under 63 and a one-stroke lead in the Travelers Championship. Spieth birdied five of the first eight holes and took sole possession of the lead on the final hole, hitting a wedge to 4 feet for birdie on the par-4 18th. “Being 3 under through four it helps you walk a little easier, it helps kind of the shots you are playing throughout the round,” Spieth said. “You don’t feel like you have to take as many chances and I was able to play away from pins when I was in a little bit of trouble.” The two-time major champion tied for 35th on Sunday in the U.S. Open at Erin Hills. Johnson Wagner and Brett Stegmaier, a Connecticut native who grew up about 25 miles from the course in Madison, were tied for second.

NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

ROGERS, ARK.

Ai Miyazato has known for 10 months that this season would be her last on the LPGA Tour. The former world No. 1 is more relaxed entering this week’s NW Arkansas Championship after announcing her retirement last month. “I feel so much better than, you know, like the last four years,” Miyazato said. “I am actually ready to play because I know that I’m going to enjoy my game more than I used to.” It’s the first tournament in the U.S. for the 32-year-old Miyazato since making her retirement official. It’s also the site of her last LPGA Tour win — a final-round comeback victory at Pinnacle Country Club in 2012. World No. 2 Lydia Ko is the defending champion at the event, which also features former No. 1 and local favorite Stacy Lewis. She won the event in 2014 and played in college at the nearby University of Arkansas.

BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN

MUNICH

Sergio Garcia opened his first event in Europe since his Masters win by shooting a bogey-free 6-under 66 to lie two strokes off the lead at the BMW International Open on Thursday. Wade Ormsby (64) took the overnight lead from Thomas Detry (65), and Joost Luiten and Thorbjorn Olesen (66) were tied for third with Garcia. “I felt like I played quite well, not spectacular, but very consistent,” Garcia said. Garcia opened with six birdies while Ormsby, who arrived at the Eichenried course on the back of three missed cuts, returned to fine form with eight.

Associated Press