Little-known American Andrew Landry upstaged the game's biggest names on a frustrating day of multiple weather delays as he grabbed an early one-shot lead in the first round of the US Open.
The 28-year-old PGA Tour rookie, competing for the first time in the year's second major, carded five birdies and two bogeys in 17 holes on a rain-softened layout at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh to get to three under.
Benefiting from accurate driving on a layout known as one of the most treacherous in golf, Landry was lining up a 10-foot birdie putt on his final hole, the par-four ninth, when the horn sounded to suspend play for a third time.
Just over half an hour later, play was suspended for the day as lightning strikes flashed, thunder rumbled and heavy rain swept across the course.
Twice Masters champion Bubba Watson, after 14 holes, and New Zealand's Danny Lee, after 13, were both at two under on a day when thunderstorms and heavy rain had already wiped out more than three-and-three-quarter hours of scheduled play.
American amateur Scottie Scheffler, at the age of 19 playing in his first US Open, carded a one-under 69 to hold the clubhouse lead.
Level with Scheffler at one under were England's former world No.1 Lee Westwood and Americans Kevin Streelman and Harris English.
"It's obviously a frustrating day having to keep coming off, but there's nothing you can do about the weather," Westwood said after mixing an eagle two at the par-four 14th with two birdies and three bogeys.
"I'm playing well though, playing nicely. I've dropped shots when I've missed it in the wrong spots and made some nice birdies too."
Rory McIlroy was seven shots off the pace after 13 holes of his bid to win a second US Open, having dropped shots on the final two holes he was able to complete, but there was better news for Shane Lowry, who was level par after ending his day with a birdie on the short par-4 11th.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth was at one over through 11 holes, having followed a birdie at the par-five 12th with bogeys at the par-four 14th and the par-four second.
Among the other big names at Oakmont, Masters champion Danny Willett four over after 12 and 2014 US Open champion Martin Kaymer level after 13, while world No.1 Jason Day and Irishman Graeme McDowell were in the side of the draw that didn't get to begin their rounds.
Thursday's opening round had been destined to spill over into Friday after a weather delay in mid-morning of just over an hour and a quarter while a line of storms passed through the area.
The treacherous Oakmont layout, known for its lightning-fast greens and sloping contours, had been softened by more than an inch of rain overnight and further thunderstorms are expected for Friday afternoon.
