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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Rory McIlroy grabs early lead in Scotland

John Deere Classic defending champion Jordan Spieth opened with an even-par 71 on Thursday, 8 strokes behind the leaders. (Associated Press)
From Staff And Wire Reports

Golf: Rory McIlroy rolled in six birdies in seven holes around the turn and shot a 7-under-par 64 for a one-stroke lead midway through a low-scoring first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Refreshed after a two-week break, the No. 8-ranked McIlroy tamed windy conditions in northern Scotland to show his links game is in good shape heading into next week’s British Open at Hoylake.

One of the highlights of his course-record round at Royal Aberdeen was driving the green on the 436-yard 13th hole while the group ahead was on the putting surface. That set up one of his eight birdies.

Unheralded Swede Kristoffer Broberg and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina shot 65s. Luke Donald was at 4-under 67.

Phil Mickelson missed a 3-foot par putt on the final hole for his only bogey in a 68, a solid start to his title defense.

• Three tied at top: Zach Johnson, Rory Sabbatini and Brian Harman shot 8-under-par 63s to share the lead after the first round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Johnson and Sabbatini played bogey-free golf, while Harman had nine birdies and one bogey on the par-71 TPC Deere Run.

Todd Hamilton, Australian Steven Bowditch and William McGirt were one stroke back.

Ferris graduate Alex Prugh opened with a 3-under 68 and is five shots off the pace.

• Hot start for Montgomerie: Colin Montgomerie leads after the first round at the U.S. Senior Open in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Montgomerie shot a 6-under par 65 in oppressive heat at Oak Tree National. The Scotsman started on 10 and birdied 14, 15 and 16 on the way to a 33 on the back nine. He birdied six, seven and eight to finish strong.

Marco Dawson is second after a 66. Former Pullman resident Kirk Triplett opened with a 69, tying him for fourth place four shots back.

• Uehara out in front: Ayako Uehara of Japan opened with a 4-under-par 68 to lead the Women’s British Open in Southport, England.

Defending champion Stacy Lewis played in the same group as Uehara and shot 71 at Royal Birkdale. U.S. Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie struggled to a 75.

Morgan Pressel relied on a great round of putting for a 70.

Seminoles receiver arrested for theft

Football: Florida State receiver Jesus Wilson has been suspended from the team after facing a felony charge in the theft of a motor scooter in Tallahassee, Florida.

Police say Wilson was stopped as he rode a motor scooter days after it was reported stolen on campus.

Wilson said a friend loaned him the vehicle. An investigation ensued, and Wilson was charged with third-degree grand motor theft. He turned himself in and was freed on $2,500 bond.

• NFL teams decline to draft four: None of the four eligible players were taken in the NFL’s supplemental draft.

New Mexico receiver Chase Clayton, North Carolina linebacker Darius Lipford, Virginia-Lynchburg defensive tackle Lakendrick Ross and SMU running back Traylon Shead – went undrafted and are now free agents.

• Astrodome’s days numbered: The Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have developed a $66 million plan to demolish the historic Astrodome and replace it with a green space and “Astrodome Hall of Fame.”

The Texans and the rodeo propose to have the project completed in time for the 2017 Super Bowl at neighboring NRG Stadium, the NFL team’s home venue.

• Ex-Buckeyes star sues: Police altered facts and suppressed and destroyed evidence to pursue their road rage investigation against a former Ohio State football star accused of shooting a pickup truck driver in the head, the ex-player alleged in a federal lawsuit in Columbus, Ohio, that says he was defending himself against an aggressive driver.

The lawsuit by Jim Stillwagon, a former Ohio State captain and member of the 1968 national championship team, followed his acquittal last fall on all charges stemming from the September 2012 incident in Delaware in central Ohio.

Sterling-Clippers trial put on hold

Miscellany: A trial that could determine the fate of the Los Angeles Clippers has been put on hold until after a deadline to conclude a $2 billion sale – but that expiration date could be extended.

A Los Angeles judge said the case won’t finish by Tuesday but will continue on July 21 because lawyers for owner Donald Sterling have personal plans. Sterling is suing to block his wife’s unilateral deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

• Mayweather announces rematch: Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight a rematch Sept. 13 with Marcos Maidana, the Argentinian who gave him a tougher battle than expected when they met in May.

Mayweather announced that Maidana would get a rematch in a pay-per-view fight from the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Mayweather won the first fight between the two by majority decision, but Maidana was given credit for taking the fight to the undefeated welterweight champion.