Clearing skies and warm temperatures helped the late starters at Bethpage Black steal a march on their earlier rivals as Ireland’s Graeme McDowell held a precarious share of the clubhouse lead halfway through the rain-delayed first round of the 109th US Open.

Defending champion Tiger Woods needed to be at his combative best to rescue par at the opening hole as the 109th US Open got under way under dark skies and in persistent drizzle at Bethpage Black.

Padraig Harrington will tee-off with defending champion Tiger Woods and 2007 champion Angel Cabrera at this week's US Open at Bethpage, New York.

Drew Weaver battled to victory in the Amateur championship at Royal Lytham today and swiftly dedicated his success to the memory of his fellow students who lost their lives in the Virginia Tech massacre.

Australian Tim Stewart and American Drew Weaver got the better of a twin British challenge to reach the Amateur championship final at Royal Lytham tomorrow.

Irish interest in the British Amateur championship ended at Royal Lytham and St Annes today.