It's a footnote few are likely to remember from the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black, but Mike Weir finished as the first-round leader of that tournament with a sensational 6-under 64. The problem is that he finished in the middle of the second day because of a rain delay, and by the time play was halted on Day 2, Weir no longer was in the lead.

But he stands to gain more recognition for his first round in the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach if Weir can keep it going. The Canadian chipped in from the thick collar behind the par-4 16th hole for his fourth birdie in five holes to take the lead at -3. Weir is playing in the same group with K.J. Choi, who got to -3 through 14 but bogeyed the 15th to drop to -2, where he is now. Ian Poulter and David Toms also are -2.

Weir and Choi are waiting in a backup at the par-3 17th tee. But for the moment, it appears the USGA's marquee group with a lefthander should have been the one with Weir, the southpaw, and Choi instead of Phil "Lefty" Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.
 

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