In brief: Woods struggles during first round

The clicking cameras didn’t help, nor did the poor putting. All of which left Tiger Woods as frustrated as any weekend hacker.

For someone who has been playing nothing but sterling golf of late, Woods tossed his club after a botched putt Thursday during the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Last week I putted great and today I didn’t putt so good,” Woods, the defending champion, said after his 4-under-par 68.

He was three strokes behind leaders Ross Fisher and Graeme McDowell. Ernie Els was another stroke back at 66.

Woods’ problems started on the second hole, where he drove into a row of trees before settling for a bogey. He reclaimed the lost stroke on the par-5 third hole, but he soon encountered another problem on the eighth. While he was swinging, a group of photographers snapped pictures, causing Woods to send the ball into the long grass on the edge of the fairway.

“Nice going guys, thanks,” he said sarcastically.

On the 12th, Woods missed a short putt and took another bogey. He responded by tossing his club to the ground.

“Dudley Hart shot a 7-under 64 for a one-stroke advantage atop a crowded leaderboard in the PGA’s FBR Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Baseball

Phillies, pitcher Myers agree

Right-hander Brett Myers agreed to a $25.75 million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, avoiding arbitration.

Myers, 26, went 12-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts last season. He led the Phillies in wins, ERA, starts, innings (198) and strikeouts (189).

“Second baseman Brian Roberts avoided arbitration with the Baltimore Orioles, agreeing to a $4.2 million, one-year contract.

Last year, Roberts rebounded from a serious elbow injury to hit .286 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs as leadoff hitter.

“Austin Kearns agreed to a three-year contract with Washington that guarantees the outfielder $17.5 million.

Kearns made $1.85 million last season when he hit .264 with 24 homers and 86 RBIs in 150 games for the Nationals and Cincinnati Reds.

“The Pittsburgh Pirates ended their long search for a right-handed starter, agreeing to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with Tony Armas Jr.

Armas, 28, was 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA in 30 starts with Washington last season.

“San Francisco catcher Mike Matheny retired when his doctor refused to clear him to play after a concussion sidelined him for the final four months of last season.

Miscellany

Santa Clara coach will retire

Longtime Santa Clara coach Dick Davey will retire after this season and perhaps pursue another position with the university.

Davey, in his 15th season as head coach and 30th overall at the school, said last month he wasn’t ready to think about the end of his coaching career – but athletic director Dan Coonan apparently is ready to think about the program’s long-term future.

“Two more men’s basketball players were suspended – one indefinitely – and two had their suspensions extended by the Mountain West Conference for fighting Tuesday during New Mexico’s home win over Wyoming.

Wyoming’s Brandon Ewing and Brad Jones – the team’s top scorers – and New Mexico’s Jamaal Smith were ejected from the game and automatically suspended from their team’s next game. The conference suspended Jones and Smith for an additional game, and added a one-game suspension for New Mexico’s Darren Prentice. Wyoming suspended Joseph Taylor indefinitely.

“The WBC declared the light flyweight champion belt up for grabs, stripping Mexico’s Omar Nino of the title for testing positive for methamphetamine following a Nov. 18 bout in Las Vegas.