40-year-old Fijian Vijay Singh shares the lead with American Jim Furyk at the halfway stage of the United States Open at Olympia Fields, Chicago, both having set a new record for the event with their seven-under-par totals of 133.
Singh took the day's honours, however, and may never have a better chance to be the first to complete a round at a major in 62 strokes. Seven adrift of Furyk when he teed off, the former Masters and US PGA champion - now hoping to complete the third leg of a career Grand Slam - was on level terms coming off the 15th green.
Singh had 12-foot chances on the next two, but after they just missed he drove into a bunker at the 460-yard last, parred again. Furyk, seeking his first major, has had rounds of 67 and 66, but in an event where double figures under par has only ever won once - Tiger Woods three years ago - they are only two ahead of Stephen Leaney and Jonathan Byrd.
Defending champion Woods is three strokes back in joint fifth along with Swede Fredrik Jacobson, 48-year-old Eduardo Romero, 46-year-old Nick Price and former Open champion Justin Leonard. Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington both secured employment for the weekend Ulster player Clarke six shots off the lead on one under.
Harrington is a further two off the lead on one over. A field of 155 started Thursday's first round at the Olmpia Fields and Harrington and Clarke, as well as Scot Colin Montgomery (+3) are among the 68 who will play the business end of the tournament. 1982 winner Tom Watson has also made the cut, largely thanks to a fantastic opening 65, he is on -3 with fellow American Robert Damron.
Filed by Brendan Cole
