US OPEN LEADERBOARD US unless stated -3 Olin Browne, Rocco Mediate -2 Brandt Jobe, Retief Goosen (SA), Lee Westwood (Eng) -1 Phil Mickelson, Steve Jones, KJ Choi (Kor), Luke Donald (Eng) Even David Toms, Vijay Singh (Fij), Tiger Woods, Toru Taniguchi (Jap), Tommy Armour III, Adam Scott (Aus), Bob Estes Clubhouse scores More pictures from Pinehurst Friday tee-off times

The pair took advantage of their early tee-times to shoot three-under 67s, one better than Retief Goosen, England's Lee Westwood and American Brandt Jobe.

Phil Mickelson birdied the last to post a one-under 69, the same score as former champion Steve Jones, England's Luke Donald and Korea's KJ Choi.

Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods carded 70s, while Ernie Els signed for a 71.

Mickelson made two birdies in his first four holes, fell back to par as the scoring got tougher in the North Carolina sunshine and then holed a 15-footer at the last to return to one under.

"I am pleased with one under. I'll take even par or better anytime," said the left-hander, who was runner-up to Payne Stewart here in 1999.

I didn't feel too great when I got up and for this event you want to be fully fit - but I played great Lee Westwood British pair mount Pinehurst bid

"I don't see how anybody will be under par in these conditions after 72 holes. It's a good, hard, fair test but it's certainly challenging."

Also in contention after 70s are the highly-fancied pair of Adam Scott and David Toms, as well as the relatively unheralded Americans Bob Estes and Tommy Armour III, and Toru Taniguchi of Japan.

The 46-year-old Browne, ranked 300th in the world, only secured his berth at Pinehurst after shooting a 59 in final qualifying. He carded 73 in the first round at Woodmont in Maryland and had considered withdrawing.

"I felt like I was going to show up and hit some good shots this week, I didn't know I would hit as many as solidly as I did," said Browne, who fired five birdies and two bogeys.

"This golf course epitomises what the USGA wants - a course that challenges every aspect of a player's game, including the mental component."

It was a very satisfactory day, although I need to position my drives a little bit better Tiger Woods Woods overcomes wayward driving

Mediate, who eagled the 10th with a 50-foot putt, was also full of praise for a course that saw only nine players beat par on Thursday.

The 42-year-old said: "I felt good right away this morning. I love the course and I love the USGA set-ups."

Woods, who hit only six of 14 fairways, was another man pleased with his display.

The world number one and two-time US Open champion said: "Any time you shoot even par at a US Open, you ought to feel pretty good - and especially at this one.

"Overall, this golf course is playing very difficult. Today was a very satisfactory day, although I need to position my drives a little bit better."

I was probably five minutes from not being here. I asked the guy at the scoring tent, 'How do I drop out?' Oln Browne More quotes from Pinehurst

Els, another double winner of this event, was less satisfied with his day's work.

"I'm really hitting the ball solidly, but even if you're hitting your irons well, you've got to play away from the flags," he said.

"It's really unbelievable. It's the only course we play where you have to aim away from the holes."

Goosen, the defending champion, appeared to have worked Pinehurst out much quicker than his South African compatriot, as he compiled a typically tidy round, although it could have been even better.

"I hit 16 greens in regulation and 32 putts - or something like that - wasn't really the way I want it," said Goosen.

"If I can keep striking the ball solid and keep it in play, we can try for Sunday."

Two players who are unlikely to be in contention come Sunday are England's Ryder Cup duo Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.

Poulter was left fuming after a frustrating 77, while Casey could only hope for better days after his 15-over-par 85.

Casey & Poulter toil at Pinehurst

Westwood, however, surprised himself with his showing as he has been complaining of a chest problem and was unable to sleep on Wednesday night.

"I didn't feel too great when I got up and for this event you want to be fully fit. But I played great," he said.

Further down the field but still in good shape at two over are Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and English debutants Jonathan Lomas and Nick Dougherty.