Woods draws crowds, cheers with 72

SAN DIEGO» Tiger Woods brought big crowds back to golf, and he even produced a few big roars.

In his first PGA Tour event in a year because of a fourth back surgery, Woods mixed a few mistakes with a few shots that looked familiar Thursday on his way to an even-par 72 in the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

“It was fun to compete again. It was fun to be out there,” Woods said.

But he was seven shots behind Tony Finau, who led with a 7-under 65 on the North Course at Torrey Pines. Woods will play that course Friday, with him on the bubble to make the cut. With virtually no wind on a Thursday for reasonable scoring, he was tied for 84th.

Henderson leads LPGA event.

Brooke Henderson shot a bogey-free, 5-under 68 in windy conditions and grabbed the first-round lead at the seasonopening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.

Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith finished with a bogey to drop into a tie for second with Spanish rookie Luna Sobron Galmes.

Donaldson ahead in Dubai.

Jamie Donaldson flirted with the European Tour’s firstever 59 before settling for a 10under 62 in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

At the Emirates Golf Club, the 42-year-old Donaldson took a one-shot lead over Anthony Wall and David Horsey.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy was among five players at 7-under 65.