Mahan shoots 62 to lead weather-hit Travelers

NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) Hunter Mahan shot an eight-under-par 62 to take a two-stroke lead in the weather-interrupted first round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.

Mahan, coming off a tie for 13th at last week's grueling US Open at Oakmont, posted 10 birdies against two bogeys in a sparkling round at the TPC River Highlands Course to lead fellow American Chris DiMarco.

''At Oakmont every shot was just a grind,'' said Mahan.

''You have to think so hard about where to put the ball and where not to hit it. Today I just went out there and played, and the greens were so easy to read it was shocking.'' ''It was definitely more relaxed.'' Mahan, seeking his first US Tour win, started his round with four birdies in a row and ran off four more in succession from the 11th as he tied his low round as a professional.

DiMarco, a 38-year-old veteran of two US Ryder Cup teams and a pair of Presidents Cup squads, enjoyed his best round of a season spent struggling with an ailing left shoulder.

The three-times US Tour winner said he felt better since having two cortisone shots and fiddling with his unusual ''claw'' putting grip.

''It doesn't hurt as much going back and I was able to hit a lot of really good crisp shots out there,'' he said.

''I made a teeny change in my putting grip...and I putted really good.'' A storm threat forced a suspension of play for over an hour late in the afternoon. Play resumed for 75 minutes before officials called a halt to the action due to more threatening weather with 39 players yet to finish the first round.

Brad Faxon, the 2005 winner, was in the clubhouse at five under par along with Sweden's Carl Pettersson, Australian Michael Sim and Americans Kenny Perry and Bob Heintz.

Defending champion J J Henry opened with a two-under 68.

REUTERS BJR PM0925