Golf-Open-Surprise package Barnes exceeds expectations

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 20 (Reuters) - PGA Tour rookie Ricky Barnes exceeded expectations by charging into an early one-shot lead in record style in the weather-delayed U.S. Open second round on Saturday.

Competing in only his 37th event on the circuit, the long-hitting American took advantage of rain-softened greens at Bethpage Black to card a five-under-par 65.

The 28-year-old birdied three of his last eight holes to post an eight-under total of 132, a U.S. Open record for the first two rounds. Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh set the previous mark of 133 in the 2003 edition at Olympia Fields.

"It's pretty cool," a beaming Barnes told reporters after taking a one-stroke lead over fellow American Lucas Glover.

"At the beginning of the week you didn't think that score was out there but, with some tees moved up and the soft greens, that helped out."

With rain forecast for all four rounds on the brutally long 7,426-yard layout, organisers moved four tees for the opening round and three for the second.

"My ball-striking was probably the most impressive part of the first 36 holes," said Barnes, the 2002 U.S. Amateur champion. "I hit 31 of 36 greens and I've played pretty stress-free with just one bogey.