KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Jordan Spieth thought the Plantation Course was a blast to play when he arrived at Kapalua. [url=http://www.soccerbelgiumteamonline.com/Nacer-Chadli-UEFA-European-B elgium-Jersey/]Nacer Chadli Belgium Jersey[/url] . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Jordan Spieth thought the Plantation Course was a blast to play when he arrived at Kapalua. Nacer Chadli Belgium Jersey . He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66. That gave him a share of the lead at the Tournament of Champions with fellow newcomer Michael Thompson, Chris Kirk and Webb Simpson. "Its a course that I shouldnt make a lot of bogeys on if you keep the ball in play and just think your way around the course," Spieth said. "Ultimately, I did some good preparation and did a lot of hard work the last two or three weeks getting ready for today, and now just happy to be in good position after the first round." The wind off the west coast of Maui was the biggest surprise, shifting direction and speed throughout the opening round on a mostly sunny afternoon. But with an inch of rain overnight, the Plantation Course was soft enough that only two players in the 30-man field of PGA Tour winners failed to break par. Kirk thought he might be one of them when he first got to this slice of paradise. He had not played since winning the McGladrey Classic at Sea Island two months ago, and his first practice round was a skins game with Matt Kuchar and Scott Brown. Kirk got shut out and figures he shot about 80. When it counted, he was on the money, especially late in the round by closing with five straight birdies. The last two were not easy, especially with the wind blasting into him on the 17th hole, a par 4 that measures 545 yards down the hill. He hit a poor tee shot and had to smash a 3-wood into 30 feet for an unlikely birdie. He had to hit 3-wood and 9-iron for his final two shots on 18 to make birdie. "Some slightly more exciting birdies in the last few holes," he said. For the opening round of the year, where players are still trying to shake off some rust, the leaderboard has rarely been this tight. PGA champion Jason Dufner had four birdies and an eagle on his front-nine 30, only to settle into a string of pars on the back nine for a 6-under 67. Kevin Streelman bogeyed his last two holes and also was at 67, along with Zach Johnson and Ryan Moore. The top 10 players were separated by three shots. Adam Scott, coming off a two wins and a runner-up in Australia, and defending champion Dustin Johnson were among those at 70 On a day like this, experience might have been overrated. "I think the more times you play it, the more advantage you have," Kirk said. "Today was a little bit funny. Today was a day with the wind ... Ive never played in this wind. All the guys who have played here a bunch of times, youre very rarely going to see that wind. So that could throw some people off that were used to it." Even the players at Kapalua for the first time have watched enough of it on television to know how the ball reacts on the ground. Thats why Thompson was so surprised to see that his tee shot on the 18th bounced back a few feet. "From what I understand from guys that Ive talked to, that ball at least rolls 40 yards," Thompson said. "So its playing obviously very different." Spieth is getting plenty of attention going into a new year, mostly to see if he can back up his amazing rookie season. He had no status on any tour at this time a year ago, and by the end of the year he had won a tournament (John Deere Classic), finished No. 7 in the FedEx Cup and played on the Presidents Cup team. He is easing his way into the year, coming out to Maui with only his agent, still finding time to enjoy the Pacific and everything else at Kapalua. "Its almost like a vacation tournament in a sense," Spieth said. "Its been an awesome week so far. Obviously, Im here for this reason, and I dont have my family here with me. So theres definitely more of an emphasis on golf than maybe some other guys are putting into it here. Maybe thats an advantage." DIVOTS: Along with 13 newcomers to Kapalua, there were a few new -- or different -- faces on the bags. Simpson is using the caddie of Bubba Watson because the wife of his regular looper, Paul Tesori, is about to have a baby. The biggest change was with Patrick Reed, whose wife has carried his bag for his entire professional career. She is expecting their first child, so her brother is taking over. ... Kapalua is the toughest walk on tour, especially for the caddies. So it didnt help when Kip Henley, the caddie for Brian Gay, felt the bag heavier than usual on the fourth tee. He searched into the umbrella pocket and found a bottle of red wine that had been in the bag since the OHL Classic in Mexico last November. Gay gave it to his wife, who was in the gallery. Jan Vertonghen Belgium Jersey . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. Jan Vertonghen Jersey . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. http://www.soccerbelgiumteamonline.com/Leander-Dendoncker-UEFA-European-Belgium-Jersey/ . Under the deal, the Vikings will donate an undisclosed sum of money to five gay rights-related charities over the next five years. Kluwe said he wont receive any money as part of the settlement. "This will help a lot of people that really do need that help," Kluwe said.PHILADELPHIA -- Carlos Ruiz is staying put. Ruiz and the Phillies have agreed to a $26 million, three-year contract that will keep the former All-Star catcher in Philadelphia, two people familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. The contract includes a club option for 2017. The people spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal hasnt been officially announced. Ruiz, who turns 35 in January, hit .268 with five homers and 37 RBIs in 92 games last year after serving a 25-game suspension for using a banned amphetamine. He also spent time on the disabled list. Ruiz is known for excellent defensive skills and strong rapport with the pitching staff. He had career-highs with a .325 average, 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 2012, when he made his first All-Star team. Several teams actively sought Ruiz on the free-agent market, and retaining him was Philadelphias top priority. Ruiz, who earned $5 million last season, will make $8.5 million in each of the next three years. The club option is for $4.5 million with a $500,000 buyout. RRuiz was a second baseman from Panama when he signed with the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1998. Thomas Vermaelen Belgium Jersey. He was converted to catcher, made his major league debut in 2006 and established himself as one of the premier backstops in the league. Ruiz is a career .274 hitter with 57 homers and 336 RBIs in eight seasons. Mostly used as the No. 8 hitter in a lineup that once featured four 30-homer guys in 2009, Ruiz has batted in the middle of the order often the last two seasons. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has now given lucrative deals to four regulars from the Phillies 2008 World Series championship team. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley also got big contracts in that order. Pitcher Cole Hamels, the NLCS and World Series MVP that year, signed a $144 million, six-year contract in July 2012. Coming off their first losing season since 2002, the Phillies gave free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd a $16 million, two-year deal last week. Amaro is still looking for starting pitching and bullpen help. ' ' '