ON THE LINKS Thursday’s pro golf results

PGA

Merritt shoots 62, leads Northern Trust

Jersey City, N.J.

Troy Merritt began with a 10-foot par save, followed with a pair of 20-foot birdie putts and took advantage of calm, rain-softened Liberty National by tying the course record with a 9-under 62 for a one-shot lead over Dustin Johnson at The Northern Trust.

Tiger Woods, in only his third round since the U.S. Open, made double bogey on the shortest hole on the course, three-putted from 15 feet and had three bogeys from the fairway in a listless round of 75.

Johnson ran off four straight birdies near the end of his round for a 63, a good start in a tournament he already has won twice.

Kevin Kisner and Jon Rahm were at 64, while the group at 65 included Rory McIlroy and the suddenly hot Webb Simpson, who posted his sixth straight round of 65.

The wind arrived in the afternoon, slowing the onslaught of low scores, with no round better than the 66 by Justin Rose.

Brooks Koepka didn’t get off to a great start at Liberty National with only three birdies in his round of 70.

Phil Mickelson opened with a 72, and Jordan Spieth played bogey-free for a 67.

LPGA

Trio shares lead at Ladies Scotish Open

North Berwick, Scotland

Jane Park, Anne van Dam and Mi Hyang Lee took advantage of calm conditions in the opening round of the Ladies Scottish Open on Thursday, shooting 8-under 63s to share the lead.

Lee won the Ladies Scottish Open two years ago at Dundonald. The veteran Park and the rookie van Dam are seeking their first LPGA Tour victories.

Moriya Jutanugarn was one shot back on a sunny day of low scoring at The Renaissance Club, a resort links next to Muirfield on Scotland’s East coast.

Van Dam, a long-hitting Dutch player known for viral videos of her swing, hit a 5-iron to 4 feet for eagle on the par-5 first hole and 6-iron to 3 feet for another eagle on the par-5 12th. She wasn’t pleased that tees were moved up on several holes, including those where she took full advantage.

Van Dam is seeking to lock up her spot on Europe’s Solheim Cup team along with ensuring full LPGA Tour playing privileges next season.

“I’m just looking forward to playing a solid week of golf,” she said. “Whatever happens at the end of the week, I can’t control that.”

Su Oh, Caroline Hedwall and Chella Choi each shot 65.

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn, winless since last year’s triumph at Gullane, opened with a 69.

Park dedicated her round to her husband, Pete Godfrey, who caddies for Ariya Jutanugarn and celebrated his birthday on Thursday.

“I think he’s going to ditch me and go play North Berwick,” Park said about her husband’s birthday plans. “So that means I’ve got a day to myself. We might go to dinner later, but yeah, he’s going to play golf.”

Numerous top players are skipping the event after back-to-back majors in Europe, including the winners of those championships, top-ranked Jin Young Ko (Evian Championship) and Hinako Shibuno (Women’s British Open).

Associated Press