The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Mediate, McDowell in lead

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Mediate, McDowell in lead

SOUTHPORT: With the rain stopping and the wind letting up, Rocco Mediate and Graeme McDowell showed it was possible to break par at the fearsome Royal Birkdale on Thursday.

Mediate followed up his stirring performance in the U.S. Open, where he lost to Tiger Woods in a play-off, by becoming the first player at the British Open to shoot a red number. He chipped in for birdie at No. 17, then knocked in a 12-footer for another birdie at the final hole for a 1-under 69.

“I love it here,” said the 45-year-old Mediate, playing the Open for the first time since 2002. “It’s great to be back.”

Coming off a win at the Scottish Open, McDowell kept up his hot play. Playing two groups after Mediate, the golfer from Northern Ireland also closed with a birdie-birdie finish and a 69 of his own.

At least Mediate wouldn’t have to worry about Woods if he got back to another play-off. The world’s No. 1 player is sitting out the rest of the year after undergoing knee surgery.

House of horrors

For most, Royal Birkdale was a house of horrors. Phil Mickelson lost a ball in the tangly rough. Sandy Lyle and Rich Beem both gave up halfway through their rounds. Vijay Singh signed for an 80. So did Ernie Els — the worst score ever on his sterling Open record.

The conditions were far worse in the morning, when the rain was steady and the wind never let up. Mediate and McDowell had the good fortune of playing in the much calmer afternoon when the sun briefly broke through the thick clouds.

Australia’s Adam Scott also was making a run at a red number. He three-putted the 16th for his first bogey of the day, but was still 1 under with two holes to play.

“Par is irrelevant on a day like this,” said Craig Parry, who hit the first shot of the tournament and struggled to a 77.

“You can only laugh and take it on the chin. The golf course is going to win.”

Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir put up the best scores among the early starters, both shooting 71. — AP

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