FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN: Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley knew they had to post low scores on the easier North Course at Torrey Pines to get off to a good start Thursday in San Diego. It went even better than they expected.
Stanley made eagle on his final hole for a 10-under 62, his best score in two years on the PGA Tour. Levin shot 29 on the back nine and also had a 62, matching his career best on tour.
They were a shot ahead of FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas, who had a double bogey on his 15th hole. The top 12 on the leaderboard played on the North Course. The best score from the South Course was Marc Turnesa at 66.
Phil Mickelson went south on the South. He had a 77, his worst score at Torrey Pines since a 78 in 2005.
ABU DHABI CHAMPIONSHIP: Rory McIlroy opened his season by outplaying Tiger Woods in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, shooting a 5-under 67 Thursday for a share of the lead.
Woods shot a 70 in a threesome with McIlroy and top-ranked Luke Donald, who finished with a 71. Robert Karlsson tied for the lead while Gareth Maybin, Richard Finch and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet were one stroke back.
Woods played bogey-free golf that produced few momentous shots and two birdies. He missed several birdie chances, including a six-footer on his ninth, the 18th hole.
McIlroy, the U.S. Open champion who has had three top-five finishes in Abu Dhabi, made three birdies on his first four holes but erratic driving led to two bogeys on the next four.
He steadied himself with three birdies on his back nine, including a chip-in on No. 8 from just off the green.
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