Weir back in the groove

Mike Weir recovered from a slow start to regain the lead halfway through his second round at the Deutsche Bank Championship today.

Weir, who shot a course record-equalling 61 on Friday, stumbled with two bogeys in the first four holes on an overcast morning at the Boston TPC.

However, he picked up three birdies in four holes to make the turn at 11 under, two strokes clear of Americans John Merrick, Heath Slocum and Briny Baird and Korea’s Charlie Wi.

Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, started his round at the 10th hole. His first birdie came at the par-four 15th, where he almost holed his second shot before tapping in from six inches.

Another precise approach shot to eight feet set up a birdie at the 17th, before he picked up another shot at the par-five 18th.

Meanwhile, most of the European big guns, including Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter, had late tee-off times.

It was the last day for Casey and Poulter to impress European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo, who will name his two wild cards on Sunday to complete his 12-man team to take on the Americans at Valhalla in Kentucky next month.

Casey shot a 68 in the first round, while Poulter posted a 70. Harrington and Garcia are assured of making the team automatically.