Golf-Open-Weir grabs two shot lead after brilliant 64

By Larry Fine

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 19 (Reuters) - Canadian Mike Weir birdied his last two holes to fire a six-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead after a weather-delayed U.S. Open first round was completed on Friday.

Weir, who started at the 10th hole, more than made up for a double-bogey six at the sixth by cramming eight birdies in his round including a 20-footer at the ninth.

Peter Hanson of Sweden also birdied his last two holes to shoot a 66, one stroke better than 2004 British Open winner Todd Hamilton and fellow Americans Ricky Barnes and former world number one David Duval.

Rocco Mediate, runner-up last year, was alone on 68 while holder Tiger Woods slipped to a 74 after dropping four strokes in his last four holes.

World number two Phil Mickelson was in a group on 69.

Most of the leading players were late starters and took advantage of warm, sunny weather and soft, receptive greens at Bethpage Black.

The other half of the field, including Woods, played their early first-round holes in miserable conditions a day earlier and were on the course when play was abandoned because of rain on Thursday.

"I really got an advantage," 2003 U.S. Masters champion Weir told reporters. "That's the way it works sometimes.