Appleby leads, Woods charges at Open

SAN DIEGO, June 13 (UPI) -- Stuart Appleby held off a charging Tiger Woods Friday and took a one-shot lead midway through the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

Appleby, among the world's best players without a major title, finished with a long birdie putt to shoot a 1-under 70 and was at 3-under 139 for 36 holes.

Woods struggled early in the round, but played his final nine holes in 5-under 30. Away from the action since The Masters while recovering from knee surgery, Woods shot a 68 and shared second place at 140 with Rocco Mediate and Robert Karlsson.

"I didn't get off to a good start," Woods said. "I just tried to stay patient and get under par for the day."

D.J. Trajan, Lee Westwood and Davis Love III -- who at age 44 went through the qualifying process to get into the event -- were tied for fifth at 141.

Former champions Ernie Els and Geoff Ogilvy were among those at 142.

Phil Mickelson, paired with Woods for the first two days, spent much of his round in the rough and stumbled to a 75 and a 146.

First-round co-leaders Kevin Streelman (77-145) and Justin Hicks (80-148) fell far off the pace.