Rookie Barnes maintains slender lead at soggy Bethpage

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - PGA Tour rookie Ricky Barnes held his nerve to cling to a surprise one-shot lead when the rain-delayed U.S. Open third round was completed on Sunday.

A stroke in front at the tournament's midway point, the 28-year-old American charged six ahead before losing momentum after the turn on the way to a level-par 70 at Bethpage Black.

Barnes, who came through 36 holes of qualifying book his place at Bethpage, posted an eight-under total of 202 in pursuit of his first victory on the U.S. circuit.

He sank a 25-footer to birdie the par-three 17th before bogeying the last after hitting his approach into tangly greenside rough and failing to get up and down.

Compatriot and playing partner Lucas Glover also returned a 70 to lie second, four shots ahead of former world number one David Duval (70) and Britain's Ross Fisher (69).

Crowd favourite Phil Mickelson, playing his first major since his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last month, carded a 69 to share fifth place at two under with fellow American Hunter Mahan (68) and Canada's Mike Weir (74).

"I'm in good position," Barnes told reporters after becoming only the fourth player to reach double digits under par at a U.S. Open when he eagled the par-five fourth hole.

NERVES TESTED