Thomas fires 63, takes lead in South Korea

JEJU, SOUTH KOREA » Justin Thomas eagled twice in a 9-under-par 63 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the CJ Cup, the first U.S. PGA Tour regularseason event in South Korea.

Thomas started on Thursday with a bogey at the 10th hole but made amends with eagles on the par-5 12th and 18th holes around four straight birdies from No. 14-17 to turn in 29. He added three more birdies and a bogey.

Chez Reavie, Gavin Kyle Green, Scott Brown, Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman all opened with 66s and were in a five-way share of second at 6 under. TAIPEI, TAIWAN » Eun-Hee Ji carded a 6-under 66 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Taiwan Championship. SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN » Tournament host Sergio Garcia shot a 5-under 66 to grab a share of the lead at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in the European Tour.

Coaches: Trump should invite Gamecocks

NASHVILLE, TENN. » Vanderbilt coach Stephanie White says it is a “slap in the face” to the Gamecocks that South Carolina still is waiting for an invitation to the White House as the national women’s basketball champions.

Texas A&M coach Gary Blair took it a step further: He suggests President Donald Trump call coach Dawn Staley personally and ask her to visit.

“She deserves that honor and her team — but more importantly the country — needs to see a women’s basketball team in the White House being recognized. That’s something that they’ve earned,” said Blair, who visited the White House after his Aggies won the 2011 national title.

Alonso extends McLaren contract

AUSTIN, TEXAS » Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has put an end to the uncertainty by extending his contract with McLaren to the 2018 season. The two-time F1 champion’s current threeyear contract ends this year and the 36-year-old Alonso was considering his options with other teams.