can do so many things for you.Whisenhunts mission also includes

INVERNESS, Scotland -- Scott Hend of Australia and Felipe Aguilar of Chile made it through blustery conditions and shot 3-under 69 to share the lead Thursday after the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.Phil Mickelson wasnt so fortunate.The five-time major champion, a winner the last time the Scottish Open was held at Castle Stuart, struggled to make putts and took three bogeys on the par 5s on his way to a 76. His next task will be making the cut.The greens werent overly fast to where balls were rolling when you were putting, Mickelson said. They were very fair. I thought it was a fair test. A score around par would have been a good score. I felt like I gave three or four shots away on the greens that could have put me at a score around par.Only 20 players managed to break par at Castle Stuart.Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington were among those at 70, while Branden Grace of South Africa and Andy Sullivan were in the group at 71.Hend already is in the British Open next week at Royal Troon. He learned last week at the French Open that he was in the Open, exempt to the PGA Championship and that Jason Day had withdrawn from the Olympics, meaning Hend was a lock to take one of the two spots for Australia.His first task is going after his third victory of the year.Obviously, conditions were quite tough and I was a little bit scrappy with some putts not quite getting to the hole, he said. But overall, very happy.Four spots in the British Open are available this week to the leading players among the top 12 not already eligible. One of those players is Aguilar, though Sunday is too far away for him to think about Royal Troon.Thats in the back of my mind, he said. Im just worried about whats going to happen tomorrow. I just finished the first round and still have 75 percent of the rounds to go. If that comes along, it will be great. It will be awesome, but its not even on my mind yet.Mickelson wasnt the only American to struggle among those who came over to prepare for links golf. J.B. Holmes finally got his clubs, which did not make it over on his flight, but he had three double bogeys on his way to an 80. Patrick Reed had to play one shot off a hillside and slipped on the way down. He opened with a 75.Russell Knox made a solid start in what amounts to a home tournament for the Scot who now lives in Florida. Knox opened with a 72 and was only three shots behind after the opening round.The atmosphere was amazing, Knox said. A lot of old friends and people Ive known for a lot of years showed up, which was great.He opened with a pair of birdies, but the wind picked up in the afternoon, and it was a battle, especially at the end. The long 18th played straight into the wind, and Knox wasnt the only player who dropped a shot on the last.Its a terrible setup in my opinion -- 600 yards, straight into a 30 mph wind, he said. They could have easily moved us up a tee. I disagree with that hole today. But I hit three good shots and three bad putts. Goran Dragic Heat Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Duncan Robinson Jersey . 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SAN DIEGO -- Ken Whisenhunt returned to the San Diego Chargers and its difficult telling whos happier: Whisenhunt or Philip Rivers?Whisenhunt, the teams offensive coordinator in 2013, is back in the same role.Rivers, who had one of his best seasons in `13, remains the quarterback of a team looking to rebound from a 4-12 record, its worst season since 2003.We really hit it off from that first year and we just picked it back up, Rivers said about his appreciation for Whisenhunt. He has a great feel for the offense.Its the same scheme Rivers and Whisenhunt collaborated on three years ago when it ranked the Chargers offensive was No. 5 in the NFL. That helped the Chargers notch a road playoff win in coach Mike McCoys first season.But the Chargers have struggled since, missing the postseason and going 2-10 in the AFC West as theyve been unable to find an offensive equilibrium after Whisenhunt left.Whisenhunts latest exit as a head coach came in Tennessee, where the Chargers play the Titans in opening the preseason on Saturday. Whisenhunt, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach, was dismissed when starting last season 1-6 after going 2-14 the previous year.But its this year Whisenhunt, 54, is focused on, with a belief the Charger can be among the NFLs most explosive teams.Under Whisenhunt in `13, Rivers led the NFL with a career-high 69.5 completion rate, throwing for nearly 4,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, against just 11 interceptions.Any time yyou have a quarterback like Philip Rivers you can do that, Whisenhunt said.dddddddddddd Because he can do so many things for you.Whisenhunts mission also includes resurrecting the tepid running game. Despite drafting Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon in last years first round, the Chargers ranked last in average rushing yards per play and 31st in rushing yards per game.Gordons rookie season was a disappointment as he failed to score a touchdown or rush for 100 yards in a game. The Chargers drafted fullback Derek Watt, Gordons former Wisconsin teammate, and are hoping Whisenhunt can invigorate the ground attack.Whisenhunt is encouraged Gordon will get on track.Ive seen flashes, Whisenhunt said. But we still have to see what weve got. That is what the preseason games are for.If the Chargers have a running threat, it keeps Rivers, a 13-year pro, from harms way. Numerous times Rivers faced third-and-long last season, which led to him being sacked 40 times and absorbing countless other hits.I think hell do a heck of a job, along with the rest of the staff, of making us the balance attack we want to be, Rivers said.Its clear Whisenhunt is where he wants to be in San Diego.It really wasnt hard to come back, he said. You kidding me? This is a great town.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '