Golf-Solid round puts Mediate in Buick driver's seat

GRAND BLANC, Michigan, June 29 (Reuters) American journeyman Rocco Mediate birdied the final hole to cap off an error-free opening round and grab a one shot lead at the Buick Open.

Winner of five PGA Tour events but without a title since the Greater Greensboro Classic five years ago, Mediate rattled off three consecutive birdies from the 12th to charge into contention then drained a 23-foot putt on 18 for an eight-under 64.

Lurking one shot back are Americans Brett Quigley, Woody Austin and Cameron Bateman on seven-under 67 with 2003 Buick champion and world number three Jim Furyk headlining a group one shot further adrift on 66.

''It was just solid,'' said Mediate, the 2000 Buick champion.

''I putted really well, I made all the putts I should have made.

''I really can't say I was angry about missing any.'' Quigley, still chasing his maiden PGA Tour win 16 years after turning professional, nearly withdrew from the event because of a sore ankle but showed no signs of injury during a round that included six birdies and an eagle offset by a single bogey.

NEW-BORN DAUGHTER Runner-up to last year's winner Tiger Woods and coming off a second place finish at the US Open, Furyk continued his mastery of the Warwick Hills Golf Club mixing seven birdies -- including four straight from the 13th -- with a bogey to record his 34th consecutive under par round at the 7,127-yard layout.

Woods, who captured his 50th career title at Warwick Hills last year, is not back to defend his crown deciding to spend time at home with his new-born daughter.

After grinding it out at the US Open in Oakmont, players teeing it up at Warwick Hills enjoyed a pleasant change of pace going from one of golf's toughest layouts to one of the easiest.

Warwick Hills was ranked the ninth easiest on the PGA Tour last season and overnight rain on Wednesday allowed golfers to be even more aggressive.

''Six-under by no means is going to lead here but it is a good solid score,'' Furyk told reporters. ''For the most part you need to keep firing good numbers here, 68 or 67, 66, 65 and keep trying to get under par.'' Crowd favourite John Daly, who received a sponsors exemption to gain entry into the 4.9 million dollars event, got his week off to a solid start returning a three-under 69.

It marked the 12th time in 17 rounds the big-hitting American has broken 70 at Warwick Hills.

Reuters DH VP0655