Marc Leishman remains "optimistic" about his British Open chances despite giving up further ground to the leaders on day two.
Leishman's one-over-par 72 in steady drizzle left the Australian at two over for the championship and seven strokes adrift of clubhouse leader Tommy Fleetwood.
The world No.1 added three more birdies to the five he had in round one, but again came unstuck with a dreaded double-bogey, this time on the 12th.
"I find playing in the rain pretty difficult," Leishman said.
"I won't say I'm happy but I'm certainly not disappointed with a one over.
"Some people, rain doesn't affect them. Some people don't like to play in the wind. I love to play in the wind and am not a huge fan of the rain.
"So to get through that - I won't say unscathed - but with a respectable score to just give me a chance over the next couple of days, I was happy with that."
Leishman stormed home with weekend rounds of 66 and 64 to make an Open playoff at St Andrews three years ago and believes he can go low again to give himself another shot at claiming the Claret Jug on Sunday.
"I'm just hoping that it dries up. I've done if before from a long way back," he said.
"You can make up seven shots with a good 12 holes. You can get hot for a while and make that up.
"Hopefully that's what I'll do. Still two rounds left, I'm striking the ball well. I'm optimistic, put it that way."
