Weir glad to get wet and wild

CANADIAN left-hander Mike Weir led the US Open field at the completion of the first round at Bethpage yesterday after shooting a six under 64, just one outside the championship record low, and Graeme McDowell led the Irish quartet with a 69.

However, the completion of the tournament remains very much in doubt with the weathermen promising more of the kind of rain that caused Thursday’s suspension for today combined with a few thunderstorms for good measure. 78 of the 156-strong field have begun their second rounds but are still a distance away from filing 36-hole returns while the other half won’t see any further action until 9pm Irish time today.

This group includes the leading Irishman McDowell and also Pádraig Harrington, who has a mighty battle to survive the cut having signed for a 76. Nor is his playing partner and 7/4 pre-tournament favourite Tiger Woods feeling too sanguine about his prospects of a 15th major after dropping four shots in his last four for a 74.