Retief Goosen of South Africa birdied the eighth and ninth holes when the first round US Open play resumed today to move into a two-shot lead at five under par at soggy Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.
Goosen was three-under when first-round play was suspended last night because of a severe thunderstorm. Hale Irwin, a three-time US Open champion and still going strong at 56, held the overnight clubhouse lead after a three-under-par 67.
Some rain overnight looked to have made the course easier to play this morning with the greens holding approach shots far more.
Grounds crew workers toiled into the night to prepare the course after about 1 1/2 inches of rain poured down on Southern Hills and lightning lit up the skies above the 6,973-yard, par-70 layout.
The air was fresh and cool and the outlook dry for the rest of the championship, but because of the suspension which came with 90 players still on the course, the second round of the championship will have to be completed tomorrow morning before the third round commences.
Goosen’s lead is all of nine strokes clear of pre-tournament favourite Tiger Woods, seeking an unprecedented fifth major in a row. The holder also resumed his first round today and a bogey at the 12th moved him to 4 over-par.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, three over and four over respectively after the first round, are due to begin their second rounds later today.