US Open:A bogey at his last hole was not enough to dislodge Graeme McDowell from the top of the US Open leaderboard at Pebble Beach, where the Portrush golfer holds a two shot lead after a second round of 68.
The recently crowned Celtic Manor Wales Open champion started the day on level par but reached the turn at two under thanks to an eventful four-birdie, two-bogey opening nine holes from the 10th tee.
After that, he birdied the fourth and sixth before a five at the par four ninth.
It left the Ulsterman two ahead of Ernie Els, who also shot a 68, Dustin Johnson, Ryo Ishikawa and Ian Poulter, with the Englishman yet to tee off on day two.
Pádraig Harrington, on two over, was also among the late starters.
Joint overnight leader Paul Casey was one under until the last when he dropped another for a round of 73.
Brendon De Jonge of Zimbabwe jumped into the outright lead after beginning the day in a tie at two-under-par with Casey and American Shaun Micheel following opening 69s.
The Zimbabwean was four under after six holes before recording three bogeys in the next four holes to find himself at one under having played 11. Another bogey followed at the sixth as he dropped back to level par.
Rory McIlroy is out of the weekend’s action having shot a 77 to drop back to 10-over-par.