SYDNEY -- Royal Sydney was there for the taking on Thursday morning, yet star international attraction Jordan Spieth was more than content with his three-under round and place in the Australian Open field.Sunny skies and next to no wind made for a perfect scoring environment early on at Royal Sydney -- located just five minutes drive from the famed Bondi Beach -- with Australian amateur Curtis Luck taking advantage of the benign conditions to grab a share of the lead at five-under after the morning wave.Playing his first competitive round at Royal Sydney after winning at The Australian in 2014 and finishing runner-up to Matt Jones at The Lakes last year, Spieth struggled off the tee at times but also showed touches of the class that has taken him to two major triumphs and a stretch as world No. 1.After putting in the deep greenside bunker on the par-three 17th, Spieth dug himself out of trouble in sensational style by stiffing it to a foot to save par, a feat he repeated on 18, before he began the front nine with back-to-back birdies.A birdie on the par-five seventh following a superb second shot saw him momentarily grab a share of the lead, but the good work was undone a hole later when he duffed a flop shot having driven through the green, which resulted in a bogey.Still, the American was more than content with his efforts on day one and predicted conditions to toughen into Friday and across the weekend.I think if I can shoot three-under each day, given the course is going to play harder the next three, shoot three-under each day, then Ill be in good shape, Spieth said.I would certainly like to have gotten off and made a few more putts, but at the same time I was in trouble off the tee a few times and salvaged par. So I feel like Im in good shape to contend at this event, just would like to post the same score three more times.Spieths next assignment will be to negotiate a sticky afternoon tee time on Friday with the temperature in Sydney set to climb to 30 degrees Celsius.The hot conditions are unlikely to serve as a deterrent to the crowds, with Spieths gallery growing throughout the opening round -- culminating on the ninth green where there was next to no viewing spots when the American finished up.Kids were out on course early to watch Spieth in action, some making their way to lessons after just a few holes while others took the opportunity to watch the world No.5 cut his way through all 18.Those a little older would have enjoyed the performance of young Aussie amateur Luck who took the marquee pairing in his stride -- Geoff Ogilvy rounding out the trio -- the 20-year-old west Australian earning high praise from former Masters champion Spieth.Really, really impressive player, Curtis, real simple golf swing, Spieth said of Luck.Just kind of understands where hes at and how to play different shots, and then around the greens he was spectacular, which is something you certainly need to take with you up to the next level. So hes certainly got all the tools.He could have shot even par for the day, instead he turned that into five-under in the middle of the roundSo thats the kind of stuff that is unteachable, and he has that.Spieth, too, has proven he has those unteachable qualities and armed with a few local lessons from Thursday, its little wonder he was happy with his opening-round return. C.J. McCollum Blazers Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. C.J. McCollum Jersey .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Terry-Porter-Blazers-Jersey/ . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Brandon Roy Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Gary Trent Jr. Blazers Jersey . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. BALTIMORE -- Just two weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens had lost four straight and were working on their second offensive coordinator of the season.Now theyre alone in first place in the AFC North and coming off their most lopsided victory in two years.After the Ravens (5-4) used an impressive second half to roll past the winless Cleveland Browns 28-7 on Thursday night, Joe Flacco took stock of the situation and smiled.It feels good. Its Thursday night and weve got the weekend off, the quarterback said. Its a lot of fun being part of winning football. Its one of the toughest things to do in the world, to win a game in the NFL.Oh, dont the Browns know it. Cleveland has lost the first 10 games of a season for the first time since it joined the league in 1950, and inched closer to joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only 0-16 team in NFL history.Theyre down, but the Browns havent quit.There are better days ahead for this group, said tight end Seth DeValve, who scored Clevelands lone touchdown. We are not flinching and we are not giving up. These guys are working hard every day to get a win.DeValves first NFL touchdown gave the Browns a 7-3 lead in the second quarter, but Flacco threw two touchdown passes in the third and another with 6:21 left to provide the Ravens with their second successive win.It was the first time this season the Ravens were involved in a game decided by more than eight points. It was also their most lopsided win since a 20-10 victory over Cleveland on Dec. 28, 2014.Some things we learned about the Ravens and Browns:SUGGS IS BACK: Despite tearing his left biceps last month, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs continues to excel.After Cleveland inserted backup quarterback Josh McCown midway through the third quarter, Suggs beat his man and hit McCowns arm as he threw, setting up an interception by teammate Jerraud Powers at the Browns 40.In the fourth quarter, Suggs stripped McCown to force a fumble recovered by Baltimore.Ive been around for 14 years, but I still feel young, Suggs said. I have played with a torn bicceps before.dddddddddddd I have come back from a torn Achilles before. So I guess its just in my DNA. My mom and dad did something special when they made me.CONFIDENT IN KESSLER: Though rookie Cody Kessler was replaced in the third quarter by McCown, Browns coach Hue Jackson said Kessler would start in Clevelands next game against Pittsburgh in 10 days.Absolutely, Im still going to play (Kessler), Jackson said. Hes a young player and Im going to put him back out there.Jackson said he removed Kessler because I wanted a spark.So even though theyre winless, the Browns dont have a quarterback controversy on their hands.FINDING THE END ZONE: On a night when Ravens receiver Steve Smith caught his 78th career touchdown pass, teammate Breshad Perriman was overjoyed with his first.The second-year receiver, who missed all of his rookie season after sustaining a knee injury on his first day of training camp, hauled in Flaccos 27-yard pass with 6:21 to play.Referees reviewed the catch, but in the end determined Perriman maintained control of the ball as he rolled over in the end zone.It was a complete blessing, Perriman said. (Ive been) working for it for a long time, and it finally came today. (Its) just how long it took to get here and all the work you had to put in. All the stuff Ive been through.SECOND THOUGHTS: The Browns inability to contain the opposition after halftime -- a season-long issue -- resurfaced again.The Ravens outscored them 22-0 after the break. That gives Clevelands foes a 157-51 edge in the second half and overtime this season.Jackson cant explain it, and his players are getting tired of addressing the problem.This is several games now where we had the lead in the first half and we werent able to finish them off in the second half, offensive tackle Joe Thomas said. Thats something we will look at here over the next 10 days.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '