Congressional welcomes Tiger Woods back to golf

BETHESDA, Md. – Congressional gave Tiger Woods a rude welcome back to the PGA Tour on Thursday.

In his first competition since back surgery a week before the Masters, Woods made seven bogeys in his opening 12 holes. He made three birdies from short range the rest of the way for a 3-over 74 at the Quicken Loans National.

At least he still has his health. Woods said his back felt fine.

The real pain was Congressional, which played tougher than it did for the U.S. Open three years ago. The rough was punishing, making it difficult for even the powerful players to get onto the green.

Four players share early clubhouse lead in Cologne

COLOGNE, Germany – Andy Sullivan of England shot a six-under 66 for a four-way tie of the early clubhouse lead Thursday, while local favorite Martin Kaymer endured a frustrating round on the opening day of the BMW International Open.

Sullivan finished the Gut Laerchenhof course with his fifth birdie and made up for a bogey on the seventh with an eagle on the 13th. He joins Denmark’s Anders Hansen, Frenchman Gary Stahl and fellow German Graham Storm among the best of the early finishers.

Durant, Frost and Garwood are tied at the Senior Players

PITTSBURGH – Joe Durant, David Frost and Doug Garwood sprinted to the early lead at the Senior Players Championship, shooting 6-under 64 on Thursday at defenseless Fox Chapel.

Still drying out after days of steady rain, the par-70 layout in suburban Pittsburgh offered little resistance. Frost and Garwood breezed through their rounds without making a bogey, and Durant offset his lone bogey with seven birdies.

NHL

Florida Panthers have plenty of options with No. 1 pick

PHILADELPHIA – The NHL may as well put out a casting call for a movie set in Philadelphia.

The league sent its top draft prospects to all the tourist areas for photos and interviews, from the Rocky statue, to the baseball stadium, and, yes, the obligatory cheesesteak stand.

Well, unlike some of the recent drafts, this one remains a mystery heading into Friday night’s draft at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.

There is no consensus No. 1 pick, and the Panthers have plenty of options to help try and turn the franchise into a consistent playoff team.

MLB

Judge favors former Dodgers owner in divorce fees fight

LOS ANGELES – A judge has issued a tentative ruling that the ex-wife of former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt must reimburse him $1.9 million in legal fees after she unsuccessfully contested their divorce settlement.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon issued his decision Tuesday. Gordon rejected Jamie McCourt’s claims that her husband shortchanged the value of the Dodgers, which sold in 2012 for more than $2 billion.

Soccer

FIFA bans Luis Suarez for four months following bite

RIO DE JANEIRO – FIFA banned Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from all soccer activities for four months on Thursday for biting an opponent at the World Cup, a punishment that rules him out of the rest of the tournament and the start of the upcoming Premier League season.

The ban also covers Uruguay’s next nine international games, which goes beyond the next four months and rules him out of next year’s Copa America. FIFA also fined the Liverpool striker $112,000.

Suarez bit the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win in the group stage, but escaped unpunished as the referee did not see the incident.

Associated Press