No stink over links from McIlroy

BERDEEN, Scotland -- Three years after virtually giving up on links golf, a more mature Rory McIlroy appears ready to give it another chance.

McIlroy tamed blustery conditions Thursday and shot a 7-under 64 on the first day of the Scottish Open, giving him a one-stroke lead and showing that his links game is in great shape ahead of next week's British Open at Hoylake.

"I feel I am as prepared as I have ever been to play this type of golf," McIlroy said after rolling in eight birdies, six of which came in a stunning seven-hole spell from Nos. 8-14 at Royal Aberdeen.

How things have changed from 2011.

At a wet and wild British Open at Royal St. George's that year, a frustrated McIlroy said he wasn't a fan of tournaments where the "outcome is predicted so much by the weather" and that "there's no point in changing your game for one week a year."

Coming from someone who grew up playing on the links in his native Northern Ireland, it was a strange outburst. That seems to be in the past now.

"I'm going to make it my favorite style for two weeks a year," said McIlroy, adding that he was "relishing the challenge" of playing in the wind and rain.

Unheralded Swede Kristoffer Broberg -- who went out in the first group at 6:30 a.m. local time -- and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina shot 65s and are one shot behind McIlroy.

Michael Hoey, a compatriot of McIlroy, was another stroke back after a 5-under 66, and former world No. 1 Luke Donald was among four players to shoot 67. Phil Mickelson missed a 3-foot par putt at the final hole for his only bogey in a 68, a solid start by the American to the defense of his title.

Mickelson's round was typically eventful. A chip to 10 feet from a cart path at No. 13 was his shot of the day, while the British Open champion avoided a penalty on the 10th when a gust of wind moved his ball on his backswing for his second shot.

PGA

Three tied at the top

SILVIS, Ill. -- Zach Johnson, Rory Sabbatini and Brian Harman shot 8-under-par 63s Thursday to share the lead after the first round of the John Deere Classic.

Johnson and Sabbatini played bogey-free golf, while Harman had nine birdies and one bogey on the par-71 TPC Deere Run.

They led 2004 British Open champion Todd Hamilton, Australian Steven Bowditch and William McGirt, the best afternoon finisher, by a stroke. Brendon de Jonge, Kevin Tway, David Toms and Robert Streb are two back at 6-under 65.

Johnson, who won the Deere in 2012 and lost it to Jordan Spieth in a playoff last year, birdied four of his first five holes and was 6 under on his opening nine.

Spieth opened at even par 71, rallying from 2 over with three holes to play with birdies on the 16th and 17th.

Sabbatini scored his best round of the year, closing with birdies on three of the past four holes.

Three-time Deere winner Steve Stricker fired a 68, with six birdies and three bogeys.

Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 2-under 69 despite a double bogey 7 on the par-5 10th. Glen Day (Little Rock) and David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) each shot a 1-over 72. Bryce Molder (Conway) and Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) were 2 over at 73, while Scott Gardiner (Farmington) suffered through a 7-over 78.

CHAMPIONS

Montgomerie leads after 65

EDMOND, Okla. -- Colin Montgomerie leads after the first round at the U.S. Senior Open.

Montgomerie shot a 6-under par 65 in oppressive heat Thursday at Oak Tree National. The Scotsman started on 10 and birdied 14, 15 and 16 on the way to a 33 on the back nine. He birdied 6, 7 and 8 to finish strong.

Marco Dawson is second after a 66. He also started on the back nine and shot 2 under, then was steady on the front nine before making birdies on 7, 8 and 9.

Mark Brooks shot a 68 and is third. Bernhard Langer, who already has won three Champions Tour events this year, shot a 2-under 69 and is in a five-way tie for fourth.

Sports on 07/11/2014

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