The Open 2017: Rory McIlroy relishing chance to battle for second Claret Jug

McIlroy added a 68 to his opening 71 on Friday to lie five shots off the pace set by Jordan Spieth

Rory McIlroy is in the mix at the halfway point at Birkdale (Getty)

Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of doing battle for a second Open title as Jordan Spieth looked to join him in pursuit of a career grand slam.

McIlroy added a 68 to his opening 71 on Friday to lie five shots off the pace set by Spieth, who defied strong winds and torrential rain - which led to a short suspension in play in late afternoon - to finish six under par.

Spieth, who would join McIlroy in having won three of the game's four majors with victory at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, held a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Kuchar, with England's Ian Poulter on three under alongside US Open champion Brooks Koepka.

"Jordan and Brooks are two of the best players in the world at the moment and I can't wait to do battle with them," said McIlroy, who needs to win the Masters to complete a career grand slam.

The 28-year-old had been five over par after six holes of his first round and seemed destined for a fourth missed cut in five events until a stern talking to from caddie JP Fitzgerald prompted a back-nine rally.

The world number four came home in 32 with three birdies in the last four holes and maintained that momentum on Friday with birdies on the first, third and sixth taking him to the turn in 31.


 Moving day promises to be an exciting one at Birkdale 
 (Getty)

That was an eight-shot improvement on Thursday and although he dropped shots on the 13th and 15th, a birdie on the 17th helped McIlroy climb into a tie for sixth with Richard Bland, Austin Connelly and Gary Woodland.

"To be in after two days and be under par for this championship after the way I started, I'm ecstatic with that," McIlroy said. "I just wanted to continue with that good feeling from the last few holes (on Thursday) and went out with that positivity and trust in myself and just need to keep that for the next two days. I cant wait."