THURSDAY ON THE LINKS More professional golf results

WELLS FARGO

WILMINGTON, N.C.

Dustin Johnson has shown more game than rust in his return to competition for the first time since a freak accident knocked him out of the Masters. Johnson missed only two greens at Eagle Point, including the final hole that led to a bogey and a 2-under 70. That left him four shots behind Francesco Molinari among the early starters Thursday in the Wells Fargo Championship. Johnson last played on March 26 when he won the Match Play to strengthen his hold at No. 1 in the world. He was the clear favorite at Augusta National until he slipped on a staircase the day before the Masters began and suffered a deep bruise to his lower back. His health is fine. His game looks to be in pretty good shape, too. On greens that were slightly softer and as pure as can be, Molinari ran off five birdies in a seven-hole stretch on the front nine and closed out his round with a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th. That gave him a one-shot lead over Alex Noren of Sweden, who is trying to play well enough in the majors, World Golf Championships and a few other American events to secure a PGA Tour card for next year.

LPGA LORENA OCHOA MATCH PLAY

MEXICO CITY

Lydia Ko beat home favorite Ana Menendez, and the Jutanugarn sisters set up a second-round showdown in the Lorena Ochoa Match Play. The top-ranked Ko edged Menendez 3 and 2 on Thursday at Club de Golf Mexico in the event that switched from stroke to match play and from November to May. Third-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn will face older sister Moriya in the second round. Ariya beat Amy Anderson 5 and 4, and Moriya topped Alena Sharp 2 and 1. Ko will face Jennifer Song, a 3-and-2 winner over Mi Hyang Li. The event is the LPGA Tour’s first match-play tournament since 2012.

Associated Press