Paramus, N.J. ? Yes, that really was Tiger Woods’ name atop the leaderboard.

Tiger Woods hits from a bunker on the 11th hole during the first round of The Barclays golf tournament Thursday in Paramus, N.J.

In his first tournament since his divorce, Woods finally looked like the No. 1 player in the world Thursday at the Barclays when he opened with a 6-under 65, his lowest score of the year, to share the lead with Vaughn Taylor. It was his first time leading after any round on the PGA Tour since the Tour Championship last September.

“It’s exciting to hit the ball flush again,” Woods said. “It’s something I’ve been missing all year.”

He didn’t miss much at Ridgewood Country Club. Woods hit all but one fairway and putted for birdie on all but two holes. And while he hit his driver only twice, they were two of his best shots of the day — including on the 291-yard fifth hole, where his drive landed pin-high and settled 15 feet away.

Was it just a coincidence that his game showed up so soon after his marriage was dissolved?

“I can’t really say that’s the case,” he said. “As far as golf, it was nice to put it together.”

Golf

Wie cards ace, takes lead

Winnipeg, Manitoba — Michelle Wie has had the second hole-in-one of her professional career on the way to a 7-under 65 and a three-shot lead after the first round of the CN Canadian Women’s Open.

Baseball

Nats’ Harper puts on show

Washington — Sporting a new mohawk — but no war paint — Bryce Harper took batting practice at Nationals Park for the first time Thursday and sent a home run into the upper deck in right field.

The 17-year-old left-handed hitter sprayed several more homers around the park, to left, center and right, with the Washington Nationals brass standing nearby.

When the Nationals introduced 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg a year ago, they set off fireworks. Harper, the first selection of 2010, supplied fireworks of his own, just by showing off his powerful but compact swing.

“It felt like home,” Harper said. “It was a blast going out there and hitting with a couple of the guys. I’m like a little kid in a candy store right now. It’s a lot of fun to go out there and show what I’ve got and be able to hit it in the upper deck.”

Harper was then formally introduced by the Nationals, a week and a half after agreeing to a $9.9 million, five-year deal.

Strasburg awaits MRI results

Washington — Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke for a franchise when asked about the latest exam to be performed on Stephen Strasburg’s valuable right arm.

“I’m very anxious about that,” Riggleman said.

Thursday was a day of suspense at Nationals Park as the 22-year-old right-hander underwent his second MRI in less than a week. The results will be analyzed and announced today, and the team is hoping they show nothing that will force the rookie phenom to sit out the rest of the season — or worse.

College Football

USC stripped of Rice Trophy

Los Angeles — Southern California has been stripped of the 2004 Grantland Rice Trophy, which is awarded by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation’s top college football team. The organization said Thursday that a committee of current and former officers voted to revoke the honor after USC was penalized for NCAA violations.

Texas, USC to play in ’17, ’18

Austin, Texas — Texas and Southern California, who last met in the Rose Bowl in 2006, have scheduled games in 2017 and 2018. The Longhorns will travel to Los Angeles in 2017 with the Trojans going to Austin the next year.

Texas G to miss opener

Austin, Texas — Texas senior right guard Tray Allen has not recovered from a left foot injury and will miss the first game against Rice. The announcement came from Longhorns coach Mack Brown on Thursday.

UNC probes academic violations

Chapel Hill, N.C. — The investigation of North Carolina’s football program has expanded into possible academic misconduct involving players and a woman who also has worked as a tutor for coach Butch Davis’ son, school officials said Thursday night.

NBA

Police investigating Nuggets’ Smith

Denver — Police are investigating an alleged altercation between Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith and another person at the team’s practice facility. Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Thursday that officers went to the facility Aug. 13 after a report of an altercation involving Smith and another player in a pickup game. The other player isn’t in the NBA.

LeBron, Chalmers visit ‘Canes

Coral Gables, Fla. — LeBron James went back to school Thursday, working out against the Miami Hurricanes.

The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP and some of his new Miami Heat teammates made a surprise stop at the university’s basketball facility for some informal scrimmaging against the Hurricanes. James, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Patrick Beverley and New Orleans guard Chris Paul — a close friend of James — played pickup for more than an hour.

James and the NBA players, including injured Heat guard Mario Chalmers, stayed afterward to pose for pictures.