US unless stated -4 J Haas, S Maruyama (Jpn), A Cabrera (Arg, after 12 holes) -2 J Maggert, K Cox, D Roesch, B Curtis, S Kendall, K Stadler, P Mickelson (after 15), V Singh (Fij, after 14) Clubhouse scores

America's Haas and Japan's Maruyama carded 66s on Thursday and Argentine Cabrera joined them at four under when he completed his round on Friday.

Cabrera had played 12 holes on Thursday when play was called off after two hours had been lost to bad weather.

Of the favourites, Ernie Els carded 70, Tiger Woods took 72 and Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson were on two under.

World number three Singh will resume on the 15th with the world's fifth-ranked player Mickelson one hole ahead.

Also in the pack on two under in the clubhouse is Open champion Ben Curtis, who shot a neat 68 marred only by a bogey on 18.

I hit a lot of great shots, kept the ball in play and made a quite a few putts Jay Haas Quotes of the day

Corey Pavin, the winner the last time the US Open was played at Shinnecock Hills in 1995, was in a bunch on one under after 13 holes.

In the same group was former Masters champion Mike Weir (69) and amateur Spencer Levin, who fired an ace at the 11th immediately after play resumed following the rain delay.

The 50-year-old Haas, playing in his 79th major, took advantage of benign morning conditions at Shinnecock Hills.

"I hit a lot of great shots, kept the ball in play and made a quite a few putts," said Haas, who has had four top-10 finishes in 24 US Open starts.

The only blemish on Haas' card came at the par-three second, a shot he recovered when he drained a 40ft putt for birdie at the 179-yard 17th.

I've played with Tiger five or six times and I've always played well Shigeki Maruyama Tiger's trial continues

"The only crazy drive I hit all day was on eight, but I still managed to save my par. I was pretty sharp out there today," added Haas, whose son Bill is also playing.

Haas has set his sights on playing at the Ryder Cup this year for the third time and would eclipse Julius Boros as the oldest major winner should he win on Sunday.

Maruyama, 34, completely outplayed his partner Woods.

While the world number one could hit only five of 14 fairways and nine of 18 greens in regulation, Maruyama found nine of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens in an error-free round.

"I'm always happy to play with Tiger on the golf course," Maruyama said.