Canadian Mike Weir birdied his last two holes to fire a six-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead after a weather-delayed US Open first round was completed on Friday. Weir, who started at the 10th hole, more than made up for a double-bogey six at the sixth by cramming eight birdies in his round including a 20-footer at the ninth. Peter Hanson of Sweden also birdied his last two holes to shoot a 66, one stroke better than 2004 British Open winner Todd Hamilton and fellow Americans Ricky Barnes and former world number one David Duval. Rocco Mediate, runner-up last year, was alone on 68 while holder Tiger Woods slipped to a 74 after dropping four strokes in his last four holes. World number two Phil Mickelson was in a group on 69. Most of the leading players were late starters and took advantage of warm, sunny weather and soft, receptive greens at Bethpage Black. The other half of the field, including Woods, played their early first-round holes in miserable conditions a day earlier and were on the course when play was abandoned because of rain on Thursday. “I really got an advantage,” 2003 US Masters champion Weir told reporters. “That's the way it works sometimes. “Our side (of the draw) definitely had a big advantage, for us to be able to play in nice conditions all day like this is huge.” The left-hander had a quick break before starting his second round later on Friday. Woods and his half of the field are scheduled to begin the second round at about 0930 on Saturday morning although more heavy rain is forecast. Mickelson's quest charged with emotion Phil Mickelson turned toward the raucous gallery as his first round was ending and nodded, acknowledging their cheers. They kept roaring, so he gave them a thumbs-up. And when that didn't settle them down, he tipped his cap. “Incredible,” Mickelson said, trying to describe the outpouring. For 4 hours and 59 minutes on Friday, from start to finish of his opening 18 holes at the rain-delayed US Open, Mickelson tried to find sanctuary in the game where he's ranked ahead of all but one person in the world. The reminders of what his wife, Amy, and the rest of his family are going through are everywhere, starting with the pink ribbons on either side of Mickelson's golf hat. But what Amy Mickelson – diagnosed with breast cancer last month – wants this week is the silver trophy awarded to the champion, and her guy got off to a good start in his quest to deliver. “I think the conditions right now will never get easier throughout the week,” Mickelson said. “We want to play as much golf as we can today. We certainly were on the better end of the tee times.” “I love playing golf here,” Mickelson said. “I love having big events here because they're some of the best sports fans in the country.”
