Home favorite Weir shoots 65, shares lead at rain-plagued Canadian Open

Mike Weir gave Canadian Open fans what they came to see on another rainy day at drenched Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ontario.

The Canadian player shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 on Thursday for a share of the lead with Anthony Kim and Eric Axley during the suspended first round. Only half of the players were able to finish the round that was delayed for 5 hours, 42 minutes.

"You want to take advantage of today because it's only going to get a little firmer and faster," Weir said.

Richard Johnson, J.P. Hayes, Nicholas Thompson, Ryan Armour and Jason Allred shot 67s on the course saturated by 8 inches of rain in six days. John Senden and Charley Hoffman also were 4 under. Senden played nine holes, and Hoffman completed eight.

Because of the wet conditions, players were allowed to use preferred lies.

Two-time defending champion Jim Furyk, a few minutes away from teeing off when play was suspended because of lightning, was 1 under at the turn.

Weir's 65, highlighted by 11 one-putt greens, matched his best score in the tournament and was his first opening sub-70 round of the year.

Senior British Open

Four days after nearly making history at the British Open, Greg Norman labored to a 4-over 75 in the opening round of the Seniors British Open in Troon, Scotland, to finish seven shots behind co-leaders Bruce Vaughan and Eduardo Romero.

In sunny conditions at Troon, Norman bogeyed six of the first 10 holes and was 6 over before he finally birdied the par-4 13th. He birdied the final hole with a pitch to 3 feet.

"Things just weren't going my way early on," Norman said. "I just had to hang in there and guts it out the best I could. The ball just wasn't rolling my way."

The 53-year-old Norman led the British Open at Royal Birkdale with nine holes to play Sunday and appeared on course to become the oldest winner of a major before he finished third behind Padraig Harrington.

While Norman struggled, playing partner Tom Watson made every green and missed only one fairway in a bogey-free 70. Andy Bean, John Cook and Kirk Hanefield and Nick Job were one shot off the leaders.

-- The Associated Press