Jordan Spieth takes lead into the weekend at the British Open

The wind was so strong. For Poulter, it was a terrific effort.

Possibly the most famous incident on the hole came in 1998, when Mark O’Meara spent four minutes looking for his ball after his second shot drifted right into knee-high grass. “But I need a cautious voice out there, sometimes I get myself into problems when I’m trying to force something”.

While his Irish playing partner was brought up on links golf, Johnson has found the conditions a world away from the SC courses on which he honed his technique.

Englishman Paul Casey shot a flawless four under par 66 to trail the leaders by one.

“It is obviously very special for me to be playing here in front of the fantastic Birkdale crowds as the defending Open champion so I am going to try not to let this spoil the week in any way”, said Stenson, who was one-under overnight.

England’s Ian Poulter is also at 2 under on the back nine, while another half dozen players were at 1 under on a day where birdies were at a premium. “With everyone saying bad weather is coming, it was a case of making hay while the sun shines so it was important to capitalise on the conditions”. Spieth birdied the first hole of the round to take the lead by himself, but he gave that stroke back when he bogeyed the third hole.

I’m not happy with the situation and I’m not happy with the players I’m likely to be considering taking positions about if they post a decent score and the weather worsens. Here’s what you missed this morning at the Open.

Mickelson, who was runner-up to Henrik Stenson a year ago after a thrilling duel at Royal Troon, carded four birdies, eight bogeys and a triple bogey in a second round of 77 that left him 10 over par.

“I was standing there shaking on the first tee”, Manley admitted. “Made some comments that I probably shouldn’t have made”. “That was big. There is a big difference between five over par and six over”, he said.

“And I’ll be feeling it this weekend a bit”. I believe that mint has a small effect on the nerves.

“He knows me pretty well”.

Manley qualified to play in The Open after finishing in a tie for second place at the Joburg Open in February, but it would be fair to say that his season has since stalled.

Manley has been a pro since 2003, bouncing between minor tours and the European Tour.

Spieth, world No.3 and twice major champion, putted smoothly to pick up five birdies and did not drop a shot after fierce crosswinds buffeted the early starters.

“A couple of holes I may have played it too safe, but you have to avoid those fairway bunkers”.

“If you see people wearing all Hugo Boss like me, feel free to ask what they were doing between 12 and 4pm yesterday”, he joked after a three-over second round left him eight shots behind Spieth.

Of the encouragement from his caddie on Thursday – “You’re Rory McIlroy”. Having missed three of his past four cuts, the Northern Irishman arrived at Royal Birkdale low on confidence.

The Holywood golfer had been five over after six holes, but staged an impressive comeback with four birdies to leave him with a one-over 71. But he dug deep on the back nine and finished with a 71.

Home favourite Tommy Fleetwood squeaked into the last two rounds alongside Justin Rose.