Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ? The Players Championship was such a pushover Thursday that more than half the field broke par.

Even Tiger Woods.

With scrutiny higher than after the worst tournament of his career, Woods settled down after a shaky start and didn’t make a bogey until his final hole for a 2-under 70 to join the assault on the TPC Sawgrass.

J.B. Holmes and Robert Allenby led the way at 6-under 66, a stroke ahead of eight players, including Lee Westwood of England and 49-year-old Kenny Perry. In muggy conditions with only a swirling breeze late in the day, 36 players broke 70, the most for the opening round of this tournament since 1994.

Francesco Molinari of Italy had a chance to join the leaders until he chopped up the par-5 ninth hole for a bogey and joined the large group at 68. Those at 69 included Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh, along with Davis Love III, who showed that even a benign Sawgrass still has some bite. He was tied for the lead until making bogeys on the last three holes.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson had a 70.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UConn, Calhoun agree

Storrs, Conn. — The University of Connecticut says it has a new contract with basketball coach Jim Calhoun.

Hayward staying in draft

Indianapolis — Butler forward Gordon Hayward told the Associated Press that he will stay in this year’s NBA Draft. He will make the announcement at a news conference this afternoon. Most analysts project the 6-foot-9 forward with point-guard skills to be selected in the top 10 to 20 picks of the draft.

Wear twins transferring

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Twins Travis and David Wear are leaving North Carolina after one season. Coach Roy Williams made the announcement Thursday.

NFL

Raiders release QB Russell

Alameda, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders released former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell on Thursday, ending a three-year tenure marked by his high salary and unproductive play on the field.

Senior executive John Herrera told the Associated Press about the move and said that “we wish him well.”

The decision came less than two weeks after Oakland acquired Jason Campbell from Washington to take over at quarterback and signifies that owner Al Davis finally lost patience with the immensely talented but unproductive player he drafted first overall in 2007 against the wishes of former coach Lane Kiffin. Russell now likely will be considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.

Ex-player Taylor arraigned

Suffern, N.Y. — Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor has been arraigned on rape and prostitution charges in an assault on a 16-year-old runaway who police said was brought to his New York hotel room against her will.

A Rockland County judge set bail at $75,000.

The former New York Giants linebacker was arrested early Thursday at a Holiday Inn in Suffern, N.Y. He was charged with third-degree rape and third-degree patronizing a prostitute.

Bengals, ‘Pacman’ agree

Cincinnati — Adam “Pacman” Jones agreed to a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, putting the troubled cornerback on a team with a history of giving players second chances.

Judge delays decision

Minneapolis — A Minnesota judge has delayed a decision on whether to extend a ruling that blocks the NFL from suspending two Minnesota Vikings for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson gave attorneys for both sides until next Wednesday to submit written arguments. He says he likely will decide about a week after that.

Earlier Thursday, Larson handed the NFL a victory in the closely watched lawsuit by Kevin Williams and Pat Williams that challenged the league’s plan to suspend them for four games each.

NBA

James, Howard unanimous

New York — LeBron James and Dwight Howard were unanimous choices for the All-NBA Team, while Kobe Bryant received 119 of 122 votes from writers and broadcasters. Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade completed the first team Thursday. Durant led the NBA in scoring for Oklahoma City with a 30.1 average, and James was second at 29.7. Howard led the league in rebounding with a 13.2 average and also averaged 18.3 points.

SOCCER

Wizards to play Manchester

Kansas City, Mo. — English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United will take on the Kansas City Wizards to inaugurate the new Arrowhead Stadium at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, the Wizards and Kansas City Chiefs announced Thursday.

The game against the Wizards will be the third stop on Manchester United’s summer tour of North America.

BASEBALL

Hall of Famer Roberts dies

Philadelphia — Robin Roberts, the Hall of Fame pitcher who led the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1950 National League pennant as part of the famed “Whiz Kids,” has died. He was 83.

Roberts died Thursday morning at his Temple Terrace, Fla., home of natural causes, the Phillies announced, citing Roberts’ son Jim.

The right-hander was the most productive pitcher in the National League in the first half of the 1950s, topping the league in wins from 1952 to 1955, innings pitched from ’51 to ’55 and complete games from ’52 to ’56.

He won 286 games and put together six consecutive 20-win seasons. Roberts had 45 career shutouts, 2,357 strikeouts and a lifetime earned-run average of 3.41. He pitched 305 complete games, but also holds the dubious distinction of giving up more home runs than any other Major League pitcher.

Mariners shelve Bradley

Seattle — Milton Bradley was placed on the restricted list by the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, a day after asking the team for help in dealing with “emotional stress” from personal issues. While on the restricted list, Bradley cannot be in uniform or with the team. He will miss at least five days.