Rory McIlroy once again made the most of wet conditions as he ominously moved to four under par at the 147th Open Championship.
The 29 year old from Northern Ireland lies two shots behind clubhouse leader Zach Johnson after a second successive round of 69.
Rain greeted players at Carnoustie on Friday morning, but rather than put a dampener on proceedings, McIlroy made four birdies against two bogeys.
McIlroy’s four previous Major wins have all come in tournaments where bad weather has played a factor, with Congressional softened by heavy rain ahead of his 2011 US Open win and storm delays affecting the 2012 and 2014 US PGA Championship and 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool.
“Under those conditions, I would have taken that score today going out,” he said. “It wasn't that bad, but it was just damp enough and cold enough that the game plan that I was trying to adapt to be aggressive and hit driver a lot, I just couldn't do it. All the bunkers were in play.
“So a lot more irons off tees and a lot more conservative, but ended up being the same score. I'm pretty pleased with that."
On why some of his best golf has come in wet conditions, McIlroy added: “Just better at it. I wouldn't say I like it. I'd much rather be sitting here not in damp clothes and a T-shirt, but it is what it is.
I'm in a great position going into the third day - Rory McIlroy
“It was nice today. It was rainy, but it wasn't too bad, and there wasn't a lot of wind to contend with. So it was fine. I've definitely learned to handle it a little better.”
Having birdied the seventh from eight feet, McIlroy converted from 12 feet at tenth only to then bogey the 12th.
Consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th, where he got up and down from a fairway bunker, gave McIlroy a share of the lead, but he dropped a second shot of the day on the 15th.
“There's still a long way to go, depending on what happens tomorrow going into Sunday,” he added.
“Over 36 holes, a lot of stuff and a lot of things can happen. I'm in a great position going into the third day.
“I feel like I played in the toughest of the conditions, and definitely our side of the draw, we had to sort of tough it out a little bit. It was a little more difficult. So I'm happy to be in with a shot. Hopefully, I can go out and play well again tomorrow, and then that will be a big chance going into Sunday.”
