Mediate, McDowell show how it146;s done

US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and Scottish Open champion Graeme McDowell birdied the last two holes to grab...

US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and Scottish Open champion Graeme McDowell birdied the last two holes to grab a share of the clubhouse lead in the British Open first round on Thursday. The duo took advantage of easing afternoon conditions at a wet, wind-buffeted Royal Birkdale to card one-under-par 69s in the third Major of the year.

Mediate, who narrowly failed to pull off a playoff victory over Tiger Woods at last month8217;s US Open, briefly set the pace on his own after covering the back nine in three under.

Northern Irishman McDowell then joined him atop the leaderboard by holing a 10-footer on the 18th green.

The pair ended a gruelling day on the north-west English coast two ahead of former major winners Retief Goosen and Mike Weir, who defied atrocious weather in the morning to shoot matching 71s. Mediate chipped in at the 17th and holed a 20-footer at the last. South Korea8217;s KJ Choi, Britain8217;s Ian Poulter and American Kevin Stadler opened with 72s. Padraig Harrington, beginning his title defence with a wrist injury, eked out a 74 to lie five strokes off the lead.

Door opened

ALTHOUGH the absence of injured world number one Woods has opened the door for his rivals, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh failed to take advantage in driving rain and gusts of more than 50-kph 30-mph.

World number two Mickelson stumbled to a 79 while 2002 champion Els and Singh carded 80s. Els dropped nine shots over the back nine en route to his worst start in 18 British Opens.

Harrington, who won last year8217;s title at Carnoustie in a playoff with Spaniard Sergio Garcia, was also satisfied with his start after fearing he might not be able to play this week.

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8220;At the first hole I struggled to release the club on my right side and I missed a number of shots on the right,8221; the Irishman said. 8220;But on the back nine I was much more solid.8221;

The bad weather claimed two casualties when 1985 winner Sandy Lyle and 2002 US PGA champion Rich Beem withdrew midway through the round.