PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Playing in America for the first time this year, Rory McIlroy’s first shot was a 2-iron out of play.

A relentless wind with gusts that approached 35 mph provided a rude welcome to just about everyone Thursday at the Honda Classic except for Jim Herman, who somehow made it around PGA National without a bogey for a 5-under 65 and a one-shot lead.

McIlroy managed to salvage a tough day with by holing a 30-foot birdie putt and two-putting for birdie on the 18th hole for a 3-over 73. It was his highest opening-round score to par since a 3-over 74 at The Barclays seven months ago. And he didn’t seem too bothered.

The world’s No. 1 player was competing for the first time since he won in Dubai a month ago. And he wasn’t alone. He played with Dustin Johnson, who birdied his last two holes for a 77, and Phoenix Open winner Brooks Koepka, who shot a 78.



LPGA THAILAND

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a 6-under 66 in the LPGA Thailand for a share of the first-round lead with American rivals Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang.

Tseng, the 2011 and 2012 winner, had seven birdies and a bogey on Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course. She won the last of her 15 LPGA Tour titles in 2012.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn was a stroke back along with Thai amateur Budsabakorn Sukapan, Suzann Pettersen, Mirim Lee, Lizette Salas and Amy Yang. Defending champion Anna Nordqvist had a 72, and Michelle Wie shot 73.



JOBURG OPEN

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s Nic Henning shot a course-record 9-under 62 on Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s West Course to take the first-round lead in the Joburg Open.

Henning had an eagle and seven birdies.

South Africa’s Tjaart Van der Walt and Titch Moore and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters shot 63, also on the West Course. They will play the more difficult East Course on Friday. The final two rounds also will be played on the East Course.