FARMINGDALE, New York—Mike Weir of Canada and Sweden's Peter Hanson were tied for the lead on four under par late in the weather-delayed first round of the U.S. Open on Friday, with Tiger Woods eight shots back.
Weir , the 2003 U.S. Masters champion, had played 12 holes and Hanson was through 13 as the late starters cashed in on birdie opportunities, firing at the pins on the soft greens.
World number two Phil Mickelson, backed by the boisterous backing of the Bethpage Black crowd, was two-under after 12 holes, one behind Camilo Villegas of Colombia.
Early first-round starters on Thursday, including holder Woods, had to play in heavy rain before the round was abandoned. They then returned early on Friday morning to finish off.
Woods missed two short putts as he dropped four shots in his last four holes to complete a four-over-par 74.
"I wasn't playing poorly," said Woods who is chasing his 15th major title and fourth U.S. Open crown.
"I was even par with four holes to go and I was right there where I needed to be. Two bad shots and a muddy ball later, here we go and I'm at four-over," he told reporters.
Briton Graeme McDowell and American amateur Drew Weaver, 22, were leading in the clubhouse on one-under-par 69.
"Coming back this morning we were unbelievably surprised at how good the groundstaff had prepared the course," said Northern Irishman McDowell about an already soggy layout submerged by 1.5 inches of rain on Thursday.
The second round is due to start later on Friday.
