Red-hot Browne almost packed up his clubs

On Thursday, at 7 a.m., a starting time often reserved for fledglings and journeymen, Browne began a round in which he would post a 3-under-par 67 to tie Rocco Mediate for the lead in the second major championship of the season.

‘‘I’m certainly very doubtful I’ll get many more opportunities to shoot 59 anywhere’’, said Browne (46). ‘‘I would rather shoot under par at the Open.’’

‘‘Olin Browne is a great story’’, Tiger Woods said. ‘‘It’s pretty cool to see him up there.’’

Browne and Mediate (42) made an unlikely pair atop the leader board. Mediate had back surgery in 1994 and, six years later, wrenched his shoulder, neck and wrist when he fell to the ground after a patio chair he was sitting on gave way.

Browne almost retired last year because his body was plagued by elbow and shoulder injuries and his game was bogged down by missed cuts. ‘‘I was really stinking up the place’’, he said.

Browne decided to visit a swing coach, something he had rarely done, and started shooting lower scores, highlighted by his 12-under-par 59 at Woodmont Country Club, when Browne punched his ticket to Pinehurst. (Mediate also qualified there, with rounds of 65 and 68.)

It marked Browne’s ninth start in the U.S. Open and extended a professional career born against heavy odds. Browne started playing golf at age 19, late compared with the majority of professionals who started much younger.

‘‘My folks thought I was absolutely stark raving out of my mind when I told them this is what I wanted to do’’, said Browne, whose best finish in a U.S. Open was a tie for fifth at Congressional in 1997.

‘‘Nobody starts when they’re 19 years old. After a while, I guess they threw up their hands.’’ Browne has now thrust himself into a chase for what would be his first major championship title. A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, he has not had a victory in six years.

The New York Times