American Zach Johnson carded a four-under-par 67 to set the clubhouse lead midway through a rainy second round of the 147th Britiush Open at Carnoustie on Friday.
The 2015 champion at St Andrews picked up four birdies, including one on the last, to move to six-under-par, one clear of overnight leader Kevin Kisner and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who shot up the leaderboard with a six-under-par 65.
Another former champion Rory McIlroy was one shot back on four-under after recording his second consecutive two-under-par 69.
"I thought I had the golf ball a bit more under control today," McIlroy said.
After the hard, fast conditions of the opening round, the rain made the greens more receptive but the course was still difficult as the balls flew much more slowly through the air.
Fleetwood, though, took advantage, with three birdies on the front nine and three more on the way home, including an 18-footer at the last, taking him to five-under.
"I struggled yesterday tee to green," Fleetwood told Sky Sports.
"We had a good hour on the range yesterday evening and I came out today and just hit it a lot better, drove a lot better and holed some great putts. Momentum kept going, it was fun."
"(Conditions) were tough. The pins are tucked away a bit. I don't mind the rain, it was not too windy but it was playing long. It's a challenge for sure."
Tiger Woods was level for the day - and overall - through 11 holes, after three birdies and three bogeys, but former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson is almost certain to miss the cut after finishing six-over.
Last year's Masters champion Sergio Garcia was four-over-par for the tournament through 11 holes, needing at least a couple of birdies to make it in for the weekend.
