By Larry Fine
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Tiger Woods missed an eight-foot putt for par and slipped four shots off the pace as the weather-delayed first round of the U.S. Open resumed on Friday at soggy Bethpage Black.
Woods slipped to two over par after his bogey at the seventh hole, while fellow American Justin Leonard posted back-to-back birdies on his return to Bethpage to reach two under par after nine holes.
A gloomy fog met the players returning to complete their first rounds, which were suspended on Thursday due to heavy downpours. There was no rain, however, and the forecast looked good for Friday as officials hoped for a full day of golf.
More than 200 groundskeepers and volunteers worked feverishly right up to the 0730 resumption of play to rid the course of as much water as possible.
Holder Woods, the heavy favorite as he pursues his 15th major title, returned to face his par-putt, but failed to convert.
Leonard, the 1997 British Open winner, sank a short birdie putt at the eighth upon his return and added another birdie at the ninth to post a two-under-par 33 for his front nine and jump into the lead.
Leonard had an adventurous outward nine with his only par coming on the first hole. He followed that with three bogeys and five birdies.
Americans Jeff Brehaut (through 12 holes) and Ryan Spears (4) were tied at one under par, with former champion Jim Furyk and Britons Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter in a large group at level par.
Players from Thursday's washed out afternoon wave were scheduled to tee off at 1000 (1400 GMT) and officials hoped to begin second-round play at 1600 (2000 GMT).
(Editing by Kevin Fylan)
Source: Reuters
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