The flags around Royal Birkdale flapped in the stiff breeze Friday. A light mist fell from the gray clouds, which obscured any hint of the sun.

Apparently, good weather for a Shark.

Greg Norman, a 53-yearold newlywed, claimed the lead in the second round of the British Open. He birdied three holes on the front side to offset a double-bogey at the gargantuan sixth, leaving him as the only player with an overall score in the red.

Norman was 1 under through 15 holes, two strokes clear of the field, with a host of top players still to tee off and hoping to avoid the cold, soaking rain and howling winds that made life miserable for the early starters Thursday. Among them were Retief Goosen and Mike Weir, who both started with 71 in brutal conditions.

Rocco Mediate, who shared the first-round lead with Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby after all three shot 69, fell off a bit but was still in contention. A double-bogey at No. 11 marred the American's round, but he tapped in for birdie at the final hole to cap a 73 that gave him the clubhouse lead at 3-over 142.

Mediate is following well on the U.S. Open, where the 45- year-old everyman gave Tiger Woods all he could handle until losing a 19-hole playoff. He doesn't have to worry about Woods this time - the world's best player is sitting out the rest of the year recovering from knee surgery.

''It made me think I can do it again,'' Mediate said. ''If I can get there again, I want to see what happens. I don't know what will happen, but I know I'll be more comfortable.''

No one was hotter than Camilo Villegas, who ripped off four straight birdies near the end of his round to join the pack three strokes behind Norman.

Jean Van de Velde, still remembered for his epic 72nd-hole collapse at Carnoustie nine years ago, briefly surged into contention, only to get slapped down by this links course along the Irish Sea. He made the turn with a 2-under 32, then fell back with a couple of doublebogeys on the back side.

Still, he finished with a solid 1-over 71, walking to the clubhouse five strokes behind Norman.

''I'm very happy,'' Van de Velde said. ''I'm happy with my form, as well, even though I'm a bit inconsistent. "