Brown, Mediate co-leaders at U.S. Open

PINEHURST, N.C., June 17 (UPI) -- Olin Browne and Rocco Mediate are tied for first place in the early rounds of the 105th U.S. Open -- an unlikely scenario.

Browne nearly withdrew from his sectional qualifier two weeks ago after shooting badly in an opening round, and Mediate could barely walk 14 months ago.

Mediate had a chronic back problem flare up last March. It got so bad one day he had to stretch out on a trophy case in his home to alleviate the pain.

Mediate only felt better last month, and he had to get back into shape after being relatively inactive for a year.