CARLSBAD, Calif. – Paula Creamer easily overcame tricky morning wind conditions Thursday in the Kia Classic for a share of the first-round lead with Mariajo Uribe.

Creamer and Uribe shot 5-under 67 at Aviara to finish a stroke ahead of Cristie Kerr, Shanshan Feng, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Mi Hyang Lee.

“It was swirling a lot,” Creamer said about the wind. “It was pretty inconsistent at spots out there, but you just kind of have to trust your wind map or trust and see what’s going on out there.”

A playoff winner March 2 in Singapore, Creamer had six birdies and bogeyed the par-4 15th – her sixth hole of the day – after her approach plugged in the face of a bunker.

“I played pretty solid,” Creamer said. “I had one bogey, but I gave myself a bunch of opportunities and putted really well, made some good two-putts. I think it’s an advantage playing early in the morning and I wanted to take that advantage.”

In Singapore, she made a breaking, downhill 75-foot eagle putt on the second extra hole to beat Azahara Munoz. The victory ended a 79-event drought dating to the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open.

“It’s beneficial any time to win, but for me, it definitely has made this season, a lot sweeter, that’s for sure,” Creamer said. “It’s made me believe even more in what we’re doing with my golf swing. All those hard times that I’ve been struggling with the last couple of years, it just kind of puts a cap to it and all and just shows what perseverance is all about.”

Uribe, from Colombia, birdied Nos. 2-5 and 11 in her bogey-free afternoon round. The former UCLA player won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Top-ranked Inbee Park, preparing for her title defense next week in the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, was two strokes back at 69 along with Munoz, Lexi Thompson, Lizette Salas and Tiffany Joh.

“My ball-striking was great,” Park said. “I hit almost probably every fairway and every green and I probably hit everything inside 15 feet. Didn’t hole anything. …

“Today was like the day I could have gone 10 under, but still in the 60s. That’s all right. Three more days, keep the ball-striking like this week and next week and I think it’ll be good.”

Thompson had four birdies and a three-putt bogey.

“It was a pretty consistent day,” Thompson said. “Could have dropped a few more putts coming in, but overall I played very solid, so I’m happy with it.”

Rebecca Lee-Bentham lead the Canadian charge. The Toronto native shot a 2-under 70 and is tied for 12th. The other Canadians didn’t fare as well.

Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc are tied for 100th at 4-over 76. Sue Kim is a stroke back after a 77 and is tied for 127th.

Lorie Kane rounds out the Canadian contingent.

Third-ranked Stacy Lewis shot 73, and 16-year-old Lydia Ko had a 74. She carded a 7-over 79 and is tied for 134th.

Karrie Webb, coming off a victory Sunday in Phoenix in the JTBC Founders Cup, had a 75. The 39-year-old Hall of Famer also won the Women’s Australian Open last month.

DIVOTS: Kia endorser Michelle Wie shot 70. … Defending champion Beatriz Recari had a 71. … Yani Tseng also shot 71. She won the 2012 tournament for the last of her 15 tour titles and has dropped from first to 46th in the world in a year.

SAN ANTONIO – Long after the fog cleared at TPC San Antonio, Phil Mickelson remained shrouded in an increasingly alarming funk with the Masters two weeks away.

Mickelson shot a 5-over 77 on Thursday in the Texas Open to fall nine strokes back during the suspended first round. The 77 was Lefty’s highest score since a 78 in August in the PGA Championship.

“I had been playing real well at home, so to come out and play like this is disappointing,” Mickelson said. “Just didn’t feel quite sharp.”

In his previous two starts, Mickelson missed the cut in the Honda Classic and tied for 16th three weeks ago at Doral in the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. He made his only other Texas Open appearance in 1992, so long ago that the event was only his 11th professional start on the PGA Tour.

Pat Perez and Danny Lee shot 4-under 68 to share the clubhouse lead and Andrew Loupe was 4 under with seven holes to play when darkness forced the suspension of play. The start was delayed 2 hours, 40 minutes because of fog, and 45 players were unable to finish the round.

Area resident Cameron Beckman, Puerto Rico Open winner Chesson Hadley, Will McKenzie and Seung-Yul Noh shot 69, and Miguel Angel Carballo and Justin Hicks also were 3 under. Carballo had four left, and Hicks three.

Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar shot 70.

Defending champion Martin Laird opened with a 72, matching Valspar winner John Senden and Jeff Maggert, a winner last week in Mississippi in his Champions Tour debut.

Ernie Els and Stephen Ames shot 74. Former Texas star Jordan Spieth had a 75.

Mike Weir opened with a 76, while Brad Fritsch was 5-over thru 12 when played was suspended.

Area resident Jimmy Walker had a 76. He has a tour-high three victories this season, winning the Frys.com Open, Sony Open and Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Mickelson hit half of the greens in regulation on the Greg Norman-designed T&T Oaks Course, bogeyed three of the four par 3s and closed with a double bogey on the par-4 ninth.

“I didn’t putt well,” said Mickelson, who had 17 putts on the second nine that he played in 4-over 40. “I had a couple of three-putts that hurt. Iron play wasn’t great. I didn’t drive it bad, until that last hole.”

On the 462-yard ninth, his drive sailed so far right he hit a provisional. He didn’t need it, but it took him three to find the green and he ended up three-putting, missing from 10 and 2 feet.

“Just blocked it,” he said.

He also will play next week in the Houston Open before heading to Augusta National.

The fog kept temperatures in the 50s before it burned off and gave way to sun and readings in the 80s.

“This morning it was freezing, and I hit balls (on the practice range) in four layers of clothes,” Perez said. “Now, I’m sweating.”

One under after a bogey on the 15th, Perez finished with three birdies on putts from more than 10 feet – including a 17-footer on the final hole.

Lee, the 2008 U.S. Amateur champion at Pinehurst No. 2, finished with consecutive birdies with putts inside 13 feet on the 17 and 18. He finished second three weeks ago in Puerto Rico.

LONDON – Construction on the golf course for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro remains way behind schedule, putting in jeopardy a planned test tournament next year, according to the head of the International Golf ‘Federation.

“We are not satisfied,” IGF President Peter Dawson said. “I was down there (in Rio) just recently, and while the design of the course looks really good, the progress with the construction is not where we want it to be.”

“There are no green shoots on the course yet – unless they are weeds,” he said.

The course at Venue Reserva de Marapendi, designed by American architect Gil Hanse, has been plagued by delays over land rights and construction holdups. The course was originally scheduled to be completed by 2014.

With golf returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, the IGF had planned to stage a test tournament in Rio next year. The IOC requires local organizers to stage test events for each sport a year ahead of each games.

But the golf test event may not take place.

“There have been so many revisions in the plan it’s quite hard to say how far behind they are, but I think we are going to struggle to get a test event a year before the games,” Dawson told reporters Wednesday in St. Andrews, Scotland. “I’m not writing that off completely, but we have to recognize that might be difficult.”

Dawson, who is also chief executive of the Royal & Ancient, said there was no “plan B” for the games but he does expect the course to be ready for the Olympics.

“I wouldn’t say I’m disturbed at this point,” he said. “I’d much rather we were further ahead. I still think it will be ready in time for the Olympics.”

Construction on the course was delayed by a court case involving the title holder of the property and a developer who claimed legal rights to the land and wanted to build houses instead of the golf course.

“There have been meetings held last week in Rio to revise the plan, increase manpower and facilities, which is designed to bring the project back on track,” Dawson said.

Golf is not the only sport facing delays in Rio. The IOC warned Rio organizers last week “there is not a moment to lose” to meet the tight deadlines.

“Rio has got quite a few challenges ahead of them to get things done in time,” Dawson said. “We are new to the Olympic Games. Maybe this is normal. However, I think it’s particularly disappointing given how long ago we got in among this and got things started.”

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Nick Faldo and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson will play in next month’s RBC Heritage.

Tournament organizers announced the pair’s commitments Wednesday. For Faldo, a golf analyst for CBS Sports, it’s his first PGA Tour event in the United States since 2006. Watson plays a handful of PGA Tour events each season, but has not teed off at Harbour Town Golf Links since 2001.

Faldo’s first of nine career PGA Tour wins came at the 1984 RBC Heritage.

Watson has won twice at Harbour Town, in 1979 and again in 1982.

Both Faldo and Watson are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

RBC Heritage tournament director Steve Wilmot says he was excited when the two signed up to play.

The event runs from April 17-20.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Miguel Angel Jimenez and fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal beat Asia captain Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2 and 1 Thursday to set Europe on course for a commanding 5-0 lead on the opening day of the first EurAsia Cup.

In other fourballs competition, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Stephen Gallacher beat India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri 4 and 3 before Victor Dubuison and Joost Luiten, who came close to hitting an albatross at the 11th, made it 3-0 in by defeating Prayad Marksaeng and Siddikur Rahan 3 and 2.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen had a 2-up win over the Japanese pair of Koumei Oda and Hideto Tanihara and Europe completed a clean sweep when Graeme McDowell and Jamie Donaldson recovered from being 3-down to beat Kim Hyung-sung and Nicholas Fung of South Korea 3 and 1.

The EurAsia Cup format is similar to the Ryder Cup, with the teams playing foursomes, or alternate shot, on Friday and concluding with singles on Saturday.

Europe captain Jimenez said he’ll proceed with the same European pairings on Friday.

“Yeah, can’t get anything better than that really. I started with my match with Pablo and played good today and I don’t think there is a better way to lead a team,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez had two eagles and three birdies in the better ball format.

“I don’t think anybody scored lower than me today so I was delighted with how I played personally but it was also really satisfying to see all of the boys playing so well.”

Donaldson, who leads the Race to Dubai standings on the European Tour, warned against complacency.

“We have always said during practice that we simply can’t underestimate our opponents. We are playing in Malaysia, it’s so hot and the courses favor them,” the Welshman said.

Thongchai said a comeback isn’t entirely out of the question.

“Team Europe was very strong today,” he said. “We will try again tomorrow … we are breaking all the pairings except myself (with Kiradech).”

Players and officials are wearing black ribbons and a “Wall of Condolence” has been set up on the tournament site where visitors can leave a message of support for those missing in Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysian authorities said Wednesday it is almost certain the plane crashed in the Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people aboard.

The EurAsia Cup is sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour. It is not the first match play event pitting players from the two continents against each other. The Royal Trophy, a contest between Asia and Europe and long associated with five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros, has been played seven times in Asia.

In just a couple of weeks, Canada’s Graham DeLaet will be playing the Masters for the first time and Puma has released what he will be wearing for competition rounds.

Here’s a look at his Thursday-Sunday outfits. You have to love the red pants and white shirt for Sunday. Pure Canadiana…

Each of these pieces are from Puma’s Spring 14 line and can be found at retail shops throughout the country.

Dunning Golf expands 2014 tour roster

Dunning Golf has announced the signing of five new professional golfers to endorsement agreements.

New to the PGA Tour roster will be Brendan Steele, Nicolas Colsaerts and Canada’s David Hearn (Brantford, Ont.).

Franklin Corpening and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. will wear the luxury performance collection on the Web.com Tour.

These five players will join current Dunning PGA Tour players Charles Howell III, Roberto Castro, Jim Furyk, Russell Knox and Kevin Foley.

To check out the full Dunning Golf collection, visit dunninggolf.com.

According to the last census, the town of Weyburn, Sask. has a population of fewer than 11,000 people.

Only one with roots in the town will be playing in The Masters.

Graham DeLaet received his invitation to the most iconic tournament in golf in December, and says he had tears in his eyes when he read it.

Without question the best piece of mail anyone could ever receive! pic.twitter.com/o6NdvL7Jth

— Graham DeLaet (@GrahamDeLaet) December 31, 2013

Now, he’s completed a practice round at Augusta National, and has one more tournament left on his schedule before the first major of 2014.

“It seemed fake to me, like it wasn’t real,” he says when explaining the incomparable course. “I’ve seen all the holes on TV and I felt like I knew the golf course going in. It was all I had expected and more.”

DeLaet recalls his most important Masters memory was in 2003. He was at a college tournament in Idaho and Mike Weir captured the green jacket.

“I was getting butterflies and goose bumps all over my body. I remember exactly where I was. When Mike won in the playoff we (Graham’s father and friend) stood up and screamed and high-fived and everyone was looking at us like we were weird.”

It was a huge moment for Canada.

Now, DeLaet has Weir on speed-dial. He’s looking forward to a practice round with his hero during Masters week.

Back in Saskatchewan, DeLaet is inspiring a whole new generation of golfers, just like how Weir inspired DeLaet.

“When Graham tees it up, the province of Saskatchewan will be glued to the television,” says Executive Director of Golf Saskatchewan Brian Lee. “Coming from a province which is predominantly football, hockey and curling-crazy, it’s always nice to hear people talking about golf.”

One of those people talking golf is Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.

“Having someone from Saskatchewan in the Masters is ridiculous,” says Wall. “We are so proud of Graham – not just because of what he’s achieved in golf, but because he is a great Saskatchewan ambassador and a great guy.”

DeLaet admits that the support he’s got sets him back a little bit, explaining how things happened so quickly.

“The support I’ve gotten has been pretty crazy. It’s pretty cool to give people something to cheer about.”

DeLaet returns each summer to Weyburn for an annual charity tournament and sees that “crazy” support first-hand. He’s also happy to see how many kids have taken up the sport.

“It’s amazing to see the ambition of these kids. It’s become cool to play golf. Getting kids involved in the game (is) really the most important part,” he says. “If I can help get kids out on the golf course (and) if we can get another PGA Tour kid to come out of Saskatchewan, that would be unbelievable.

For now there’s just the one, but he’s about to play in The Masters. Perhaps, 11 years after Weir’s triumph, he’ll inspire another generation to remember exactly where they were on a Sunday in April.

Adam Stanley is a freelance golf writer and and Director of Communications for the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @adam_stanley.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Texas Open is the last chance for players to crack the top 50 in the world ranking and earn a spot in the Masters.

The drama is lacking this year.

Richard Sterne is No. 53 and George Coetzee is No. 55 – except they’re not in the field at San Antonio. The only players at the Valero Texas Open who can move into the top 50 are Chesson Hadley (No. 56) and Ryan Palmer (No. 62). Everyone else who could make it to the top 50 would have to win – and that’s an automatic invitation, anyway.

Without any movement, Stephen Gallacher of Scotland (who won Dubai) is the only player who will have moved into the top 50 since the end of last year.

Augusta National began relying on the world ranking in 2000, only it was slightly different. The top 50 at the end of the preceding year received invitations, along with the top 50 a month before the Masters. Starting in 2003, the final cutoff was moved to one week before the Masters.

The club has never said why it takes the top 50 at the end of a calendar year. Perhaps it’s so players can make travel arrangements, or perhaps it was to give an advantage to overseas players, who compete deep into the year. PGA Tour members have more avenues to qualify throughout the season.

But imagine what would happen if there was only one cutoff for the top 50 in the world, and it followed the Florida swing.

Matteo Manassero (51), Branden Grace (57), David Lynn (65) and Peter Hanson (70) all were in the top 50 in December. They would have spent the Florida swing trying to stay in the top 50 or move back in. That change might be something for Augusta National to consider if it feels the field is getting too close to 100 players.

As it is, the Masters virtually is assured of having fewer than 100 players for the 48th straight year. But just barely.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, exclusively for men since it was founded 260 years ago at St. Andrews, will vote in September on whether women can join the club.

“It’s an exciting day for the club,” club secretary Peter Dawson said Wednesday. “There will be quite a bit of internal discussion between now and the September vote. It’s a matter for the members to determine. All indications are very supportive.”

A statement from the club said that all committees were “strongly in favor of the rule change” and asked members to go along.

The move was hailed by British sports minister Helen Grant, who was hopeful a favorable vote would encourage other single-sex golf clubs to follow suit.

Dawson, however, said the vote would have no bearing on whether the British Open is played on links courses that exclude women as members – Royal St. George’s, Royal Troon and Muirfield, where Phil Mickelson won last year. The Open returns to Troon in 2016.

“I don’t want you to think there’s any connection between this vote and these issues,” said Dawson, R&A chief executive. “What other clubs choose to do in the UK is not connected to this. … To be entirely honest, we’re not here to put pressure on other clubs that have supported The Open Championship and other R&A championships.”

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews has about 2,400 members from around the world and dates to 1754. The clubhouse is among the most famous buildings in golf, overlooking the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Augusta National for years was the symbol of men-only golf clubs because it hosts The Masters every April. The club announced in August 2012 that it had invited women to join for the first time – former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore.

Even though Augusta National went 80 years without a female member, it had no policy that barred women from joining. The R&A had such a policy, and that’s what will be voted on in September.

Dawson said he did not think Augusta National’s decision had any bearing on the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

“We noted what happened at Augusta,” he said. “They have their own procedure of doing things. We are doing this because of our governance role.”

He also said the R&A did not feel pressure from any of its corporate sponsors, who were subjected to the debate at the British Open.

“You can always ask that question: `Why now? Why not 10 years ago?’ The R&A have been considering this. It’s been on our agenda, on our radar, for quite some time,” Dawson said. “The feeling is as society changes, as sport changes, as golf changes, it’s something the R&A needs to do, and is doing now as being forward-looking as we can.”

The 2,400-member club and the group that runs The Open as well as the Rules of Golf are separate entities.

For years, the men-only Royal & Ancient was in charge of the Rules of Golf for every country in the world except for the United States and Mexico, which are governed by the USGA. And it operated the British Open, the oldest championship in golf.

Ten years ago, the administrative duties were split off into a corporate structure that is called “The R&A,” of which Dawson is the chief executive. That’s the group in charge of the Rules of Golf and organizing The Open and other R&A championships.

And while “The R&A” has female employees, its committee and board roles are populated by members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. So there are no women in leadership roles when it comes to rules and championship golf.

That likely will change with a favorable vote in September for female members.

“This is welcome news from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, and I urge its members to follow their committees’ recommendations and vote `yes’ for women members,” Grant said in a statement. “It would mark a step in the right direction for the sport and I would hope encourage the remaining golf clubs that still have anachronistic single-sex member policies to follow suit.”

While the members have access to the R&A clubhouse behind the first tee at the Old Course, R&A members belong to a club, not a golf course. The seven golf courses at St. Andrews are open to the public.