Mediate in the lead at US Open

Rocco Mediate shot a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 to earn a one-stroke lead after yesterday's first round of the Buick Open.

Mediate, who won the tournament in 2000, recorded eight birdies – including three straight on Nos. 12-14 – on an extremely humid day at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.

One stroke back is the trio of Woody Austin, Brett Quigley and Brian Bateman, who finished at seven-under-par 65.

Austin, who won the St Jude Championship three weeks ago, enjoyed a bogey-free round. Starting on the back nine, Quigley had a round that included six birdies, an eagle on the par-4 14th hole and a bogey.

Bateman’s eagle on the par-five 13th highlighted a six-birdie day, which was capped by a birdie on the 18th.

Playing for the first time since finishing tied for second at Oakmont, Jim Furyk is in a four-way tie for fifth following a 66.

Starting off the back nine, Furyk recorded four straight birdies on Nos. 13-16. After a bogey on 18, he kept his hot hand going with birdies on three of the next five holes.

Furyk was tied for the lead at the US Open until a bogey on 17 on Sunday resulted in his second straight runner-up finish in the event. He also was runner-up here last year but does not have the defending champion to worry about this time.

Furyk finished second to Tiger Woods last year and won here in 2003. With Woods at home with his newborn daughter and no other player in the top 15 in the field, Furyk is considered the favourite this year.