Montgomerie takes centre stage at Winged Foot

MAMARONECK, New York, June 16 (Reuters) Britain's Colin Montgomerie, still chasing his first major victory, upstaged Masters champion Phil Mickelson by taking a one-shot lead in the US Open first round yesterday.

The 42-year-old Scot birdied three of the last 10 holes to complete a one-under-par 69 on a difficult, blustery day at Winged Foot Golf Club.

Mickelson, bidding for a third consecutive major title, had to settle for a five-way share of second place after scrambling to a 70 that included two birdies and two bogeys.

Level with the American left-hander were compatriots Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker, Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Britain's David Howell, who got to four under with four holes to play before slipping back.

Several of the game's biggest names faltered in the testing conditions, among them world number one Tiger Woods who battled to a 76.

Making his tournament return after a nine-week break following the death of his father, Woods struggled with his putting and accuracy off the tee, setting the tone for his day by bogeying the first three holes.

''This course is about finding the greens in regulation, and I've always been pretty good at that,'' a smiling Montgomerie told reporters after capping his round with a 25-foot birdie putt at the par-four 17th.

''I think the expectation of me in the '90s to win this thing was very high, and I gave it a go a couple times and was not quite close.'' BEST PLAYERS Long regarded as one of the best players yet to win a major, Montgomerie finished third on his US Open debut in 1992 and was runner-up in 1994 and 1997.

''The last few years I haven't contended, and it does make a difference where you are more relaxed,'' he added. ''I can go out and sort of free wheel, if you like.'' MORE REUTERS DH RAI0651