Weir takes lead at first round of US Open

So unlike what happened on his last trip to Bethpage in 2002, this U.S. Open won't be a start-to-finish victory for Woods.

Minutes after Woods finished, Mickelson - a favourite of the Bethpage gallery, especially after the news that his wife, Amy, is about to begin treatment for breast cancer - began on the 10th tee.

Mickelson's quest opened with a drive well off the fairway, drew an ovation anyway, and the cheers kept rolling.

So, too, for Rocco Mediate, who lost the U.S. Open playoff to Woods last year at Torrey Pines. How many times did the New York crowd bellow "Rocco!" during the day.

"About 4 million times," Mediate said.

Mediate shot 68, settling in four shots back of Weir.

Graeme McDowell and American amateur Drew Weaver each posted 1-under 69s during the morning. Weaver isn't turning pro because he'd still like to play in the Walker Cup, but this U.S. Open is already his third major, after playing the British Open in 2007 and the Masters in 2008.

"I'm very fortunate in that aspect," Weaver said. "I've gotten a good amount of experience, and although I haven't really made a cut, I feel like I've played a lot of good rounds. Everything's coming together and I'm off to a good start."

Another amateur, Cameron Tringale, finished the first round at even par.

"This is one of the better groups of amateurs that's come out of college," Weaver said. "I think it bodes well for the Walker Cup. I think we'll have a strong team. Guys are just getting better and taking advantage of all the resources."

It wasn't a good day to be a reigning major champion: Playing alongside Woods, Masters champ Angel Cabrera finished 4 over, and that was still two shots better than British Open and U.S. PGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington.

Woods' side of the field will not start its second round until Saturday, when more rain is expected to pound the waterlogged course. The U.S. Open hasn't had a Monday finish without a playoff since 1983, but any significant interruption in play over the coming days would likely ensure that no champion is crowned before then.

The U.S. Golf Association, in fact, is already bracing for a Monday finish. And Tuesday has been discussed.

"That's possible," USGA executive director David Fay said.

There's one advantage to extra rain, Woods said. It will keep mud off the balls, and since the USGA positively forbids the "lift, clean and place" policy often used on the U.S. PGA Tour, mud will be an issue as the course gets tackier and drier.

"It's only going to get worse, unless we get more rain," said Woods, who lauded Bethpage's condition for Friday's play and headed back to the driving range after finishing his round. "If it dries out a little more, this is going to get interesting."

The second round started late Friday. Ideally, the second round would be finished to establish the cut by day's end on Saturday, although the forecast seems to suggest that's doubtful.

AP