Mike Weir hits an iron in Thursday's opening round of the British Open. (Matt Dunham/Associated Press)

Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., is within striking distance after shooting a one-over par 71 in the first round of the British Open in Southport, England.

Robert Allenby, Graeme McDowell and Rocco Mediate share the lead at one-under 69 following Thursday's opening round, which proved challenging because of high winds and stinging rain rolling off the Irish Sea.

"I was like everyone else, trying to survive," Mediate said.

Mediate, who lost the U.S. Open to Tiger Woods in an epic playoff, carded three bogeys in six holes at blustery Royal Birkdale.

But he staged a late rally — holing a 40-foot putt for birdie on the 13th and chipping in from the rough for birdie on No. 17 before closing with a 20-footer for birdie.

"I have no explanation for that whatsoever," Mediate said. "No idea why that happened.

"It was just one of those rounds. It was just up and down, up and down.

"A couple of birdies and here we are. I would have been ecstatic with 73 or 74 today."

Weir recovered from a double-bogey on the 16th hole with an eagle on the par-five 17th to remain two shots off the pace.

"Starting the day, I definitely would have taken one-over par," he said. "The wind was as strong as I have ever seen."

Tied with Weir is a talented group, including former U.S. Open champions Jim Furyk and Retief Goosen.

Greg (The Shark) Norman is in contention for his third British Open title, firing an even-par 70.

"We did get the better side of the draw, no doubt about it," Norman said. "When you watch it in the morning, you feel sorry for the guys.

"But there's times you say, 'Well, I have been there before, I have been on that side of the draw, too.' It all balances out and you have to take advantage."

Ames, Harrington in hunt

Calgary's Stephen Ames is three-over (73) and defending champion Padraig Harrington, who is battling a sore wrist, sits at four-over 74.

Phil Mickelson shot a woeful nine-over 79, while Vijay Singh and Ernie Els trail at 10-over 80.

"It was miserable, miserable, miserable weather," Singh said. "It was just a miserable day."

Mickelson, who is tied for 123rd, has finished in the Top 10 at the British Open just once since 1991.

With files from Associated Press