Smith gets finishing kick at Doral

Chris Smith shot a 7-under-par 65, closing with a double bogey on the beefed-up 18th hole, to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Ford Championship at Doral.

Joe Durant opened with a 66, and Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, and Scott Verplank were two shots back. Smith, Mickelson, and Verplank all found the water on the Blue Monster's par-4 18th.

PGA European -- Tiger Woods struggled to even par after 12 holes when darkness suspended play in the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.Bradley Dredge took an early lead with an 8-under 64. Ernie Els opened with a 70.

Ladies European -- Mianne Bagger, the first transsexual to play in a pro golf tournament, shot a 12-over 84 in the first round of the Women's Australian Open at Sydney. Bagger is 16 strokes behind first-round leaders Laura Davies and Christina Kuld.. . .
Arnold Palmer will keep his streak alive at the Bay Hill Invitational, playing in this PGA Tour event for the 26th consecutive year. The event starts March 18.