Glover takes early second-round lead

By Larry Fine
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - American Lucas Glover made five birdies in the 13 holes he played in the second round of the weather-delayed U.S. Open to hold a one-shot lead when play was halted due to failing light on Friday.
Glover, who played 31 holes at Bethpage Black after being washed out of Thursday's rain-marred opening round, stood at six under par for the tournament following his opening 69.
Compatriot Ricky Barnes, who posted a first-round score of three-under 67, improved to five-under through nine holes of the second round, one stroke better than Peter Hanson of Sweden (11 holes) and Mike Weir of Canada (9).
Weir, 2003 U.S. Masters champion, led after completion of the first round on six-under 64 at Bethpage, which was pounded by 1.5 inches of rain Thursday causing the abandonment of the first round after little more than three hours of action.
World number two Phil Mickelson stood at one under par through 11 holes, while holder Tiger Woods stumbled through his first-round finish in the morning to post a four-over 74 and had yet to begin his second round.
Glover, who missed the cut in his three previous U.S. Opens in 2002, 2006 and 2007, fired on all cylinders to take advantage of mild conditions on the rain-softened course.
"The key to making birdies is hit it in the fairway and I've been doing that for the most part. I drove it great this afternoon," he told reporters.
"Then you know, I've been putting well. Greens have been receptive," added Glover, who has two top-three finishes on the U.S. tour this year and one career victory.
Woods, who won the 2002 Open at Bethpage, hauled himself up to even par after a bogey at seven dropped him to two-over, but he dropped four strokes over his last four holes for a 74.
He was one of 78 players on the course when play was halted Thursday.
They came back early Friday to complete the first round and then gave way to the second wave of competitors, who played their first round and went back out to start the second.
Alone in fifth place at three-under was 2004 British Open winner Todd Hamilton, who had completed 10 holes.
Another shot adrift were his fellow-American Sean O'Hair, Australian Adam Scott, Soren Hansen of Denmark, Japan's Azuma Yano, Briton Ross Fisher and Canadian amateur Nick Taylor.
Mickelson also stumbled with his first-round finish, taking bogeys on his 15th and 16th holes in registering a 69. An up-and-down performance in the second round included a double-bogey, a bogey and three birdies.
"I think that I'm striking the ball well but I just need to make a few putts and if that happens, I think I'll have a good chance on the weekend," the big left-hander said. Continued...
Source: Reuters