Lowry the pick of the Irish at US Open

Ireland's Shane Lowry was pleased his "aggressive" approach shots to the green paid off as the Offaly golfer carded a 68 in the first round of the US Open.

Dustin Johnson holds the clubhouse lead midway through the second round of the storm-hit tournament at Oakmont.

The American played both his first and second rounds on Friday following Thursday's bad weather, and he followed a three-under 67 with a 69 to take the lead on four under, alongside compatriot Andrew Landry, who has only completed his first round.

England's Lee Westwood lies a shot behind after a first-round 67.

Spain's Sergio Garcia and Scott Piercy of the United States shot second-round 70s to lie two under at the halfway point.

Lowry, who starts his second round at 08.50 local time, played his last seven holes in two under par to sign for a 68.

"Any time you shoot 68 around this golf course is a good day. I’m really happy the way I went out this morning. I holed some nice putts, some key putts coming in.

"I was more aggressive today and you have to hit driver. When you hit a good tee shot you can be more aggressive into greens and it will stop."

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy says he need to hit a 66 on Saturday to stay in contention, after carding a seven over 77.

The world number three, who missed nine of 14 fairways and took 34 putts on his 18 holes, lies 11 shots off the lead following the first round.

"There are scores out there to be had but you really need to be in control of your golf swing and today, or over the last two days, I haven’t been," said McIlroy.

"There are low scores out there and if I’m able to get myself together, I feel like I will be able to shoot one of those and I can stick around for the weekend at least.

"I need to shoot something like 66 in the next round to give myself any chance."

Norhern Ireland's Graeme McDowell lies three over after two rounds, following up his first round 72 with a 71, and is upbeat about his chances of making the cut after sinking a 60 foot putt on the final hole.

"It made up for some more ordinary putting earlier in the day," McDowell said.

"The greens were very difficult and very tricky this afternoon. They were certainly a foot to two feet quicker than they were in the morning and the pins were really treacherous.

"So I really feel like I hit good shots today. I hit it in some nice positions and the putter let me down a few times on my speed. I dropped a couple late coming in this morning and a couple got away from me late this afternoon as well. It was nice to finish well and make a big one on the last."