But with the rain giving way, wind easing and patches of blue sky beginning to emerge, conditions started to ease and just under 90 minutes after play began the first players managed to get under par.
It’s moving day at the Open today and England’s Ian Poulter will be hoping to still be in the mix when his third round finishes later.
And he believes he can feed off the overwhelming crowd support he can expect this weekend. “I haven’t played a major for a little while”, he said. “There was a commitment level today to make sure I was a bit more aggressive, and a bit more willing the ball in the hole, like I have through past events”. He started Round 2 three shots off the lead held by Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar.
The two-time Major champ hit a sliced approach into the par five 15th and converted the putt to reach seven under.
Since then, five major championships – the 2015 US Open, British Open and US PGAs and this year’s Masters and US Open – had gone their merry way without Poults.
“You’re Rory McIlroy. What are you doing?”
DOWN TO A TEE Who is Eilidh Barbour?
“I mean, that’s nice. For these fans to stay out watching in cold, windy and rainy conditions, it’s just special”. And they definitely help you along the way.
“Those fans really are great”.
“So the golf course played completely different”.
“It feels absolutely marvellous to be in contention again, it really does. But I’ve never been taller so I can’t really comment”.
But, ten years ago, few would have predicted both would enter their 40th years without one of golf’s major titles in their collection. For me to be hear and up there in The Open after the year I’ve had is incredible.
Not to mention a 36-hole qualifier to book his place at Birkdale. Left myself way back in the rough.
On Friday, after noting that younger Poulter needled Little John about his triumph, Ian the Elder joked that Luke did not inherit such braggadocio from him. “Poor little John was not best pleased”.
But, you know what they say about where life begins. But he came home pretty pumped. “There was a 5- or 6-year-old kid out there who followed the whole way around”. “I didn’t hit a very committed four-iron off the tee”.
Poulter could nearly have been talking about his own mood instead of his eldest son’s.
“Birkdale nine years ago felt pretty good on Sunday afternoon and it felt just as good today”. And he added: “I’m pulling hard this week on memories of 2008”. “You grow up saying you’ve got a ten-foot putt to win The Open and fortunately I’m in a position to compete for it”.
Poulter subsequently finished second in The Players Championship and recorded a top-10 finish at last week’s Scottish Open in between qualifying for The Open. “And I’m excited for this weekend”.
“But I’m in a good frame of mind – I feel confident”. “And certainly 12 months, I was getting very down”.
“But I think with the Open Championship you’re playing in them enough that you’re going to get your good draws and bad draws”.
“And I’m excited for this weekend – I can’t wait”.