Golf News

Lanny Wadkins is returning to the broadcast booth as lead analyst for the Champions Tour.

Rory McIlroy was reduced to a bit-part role and Tiger Woods struck one of the worst shots of the day as Britons Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson stole the show in the Abu Dhabi Championship first round on Thursday.

Despite an opening-round 75 in Abu Dhabi, Rory McIlroy should maintain a thick skin as he handles questions about changing to new clubs, writes ESPN.com's Bob Harig.

With Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods struggling, unheralded Jamie Donaldson took the spotlight at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday, shooting an opening-round 5-under 67 for an early one-shot lead.

Jamie Donaldson was happy to top the Abu Dhabi leaderboard on Thursday, with both Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods struggling.

Triple former winner Martin Kaymer eclipsed playing partners Rory McIlroy and former world number one Tiger Woods in the opening round of the $2.7 million Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday.

Rory McIlroy endured a disappointing return to action after failing to impress during the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

While twice former champion Phil Mickelson can be expected to attract his customary large galleries this week at the Humana Challenge, exciting PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley will command much of the spotlight.

While the golf world focused on Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in another glitzy desert oasis far away in Abu Dhabi, Phil Mickelson had about as low profile of a day as possible on the eve of his season opener.