Kenneth Ferrie holds a one-shot lead over Steve Stricker halfway through the third round of the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club.
Ferrie, a two-time winner on the European Tour, is at even-par after an eagle, a birdie and two bogeys over his first nine holes.
Stricker, a 39-year-old Wisconsin native who entered today’s play in Mamaroneck, New York, with a one-stroke lead over Colin Montgomerie, birdied the par-5 fifth hole to reach 2-under-par. He then followed with three bogeys over the final four holes on the front nine.
Padraig Harrington and Geoff Ogilvy are tied for third at 2-over-par, with Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell one shot back.
Phil Mickelson, winner of the past two major tournaments, is tied for seventh at 5-over after three bogeys and two birdies through 11 holes.
Montgomerie had three bogeys and a double-bogey over his first four holes and is currently tied for eighth at five- over.
Jim Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champ; Vijay Singh; Mike Weir; Philip Archer; and Arron Oberholser are also at 5- over.
Peter Hedblom, who had a hole-in-one at No. 3, and eagled the par-5 fifth hole to reach 3-under for the day, finished at 1-over and is tied for 14th.
Stricker moved into the lead with a 69 yesterday, when top- ranked Tiger Woods shot his second straight 76 to miss the cut at a major tournament for the first time as a professional.
