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LONDON — Jordan Spieth completed a second round of one-under-par 69 yesterday to sit in the lead at six-under at the halfway stage in the British Open at Royal Birkdale. Having been joint leader overnight at five-under, the American had an eventful day in miserable wet and windy conditions, shooting an eagle, three birdies and four bogeys.

Spieth is two strokes ahead of compatriot Matt Kuchar who followed his opening 65 with a 71 earlier in the day.

England’s Ian Poulter remains firmly in contention after signing for a 70 to lie on three under par, with US Open champion Brooks Koepka also three-under after 16 holes.

Richie Ramsay of Scotland is in the clubhouse on two under par, while 2014 Open champion Rory McIlroy is in a small group on one-under.

A year after pushing Henrik Stenson all the way in a dramatic climax to the Open Championship at Troon, Phil Mickelson failed to make the cut at Birkdale after a disastrous two rounds.

The American was three over par overnight and things got worse yesterday, a 77 leaving him at 10-over in total and packing his bags to go home.

“It’s just one of those things where if it starts going bad in these conditions, it’s just going to go bad,” said Mickelson.

“It’s not that big a deal. Unfortunately it’s the first cut I’ve missed this year and I missed it with flair.”

The 47-year-old, champion at Muirfield in 2013, failed to muster a single birdie in his opening 73, the first time that had happened to him at the Open since the first round at Carnoustie back in 1999.

Yesterday he began with a birdie at the difficult 1st hole. That was one of four overall in his second round, but there were also eight bogeys as well as an ugly triple-bogey seven at the 4th.

“I was surprised because I really thought on Thursday I was prepared.

“I felt like I was ready. I thought I had a good game plan. I thought my game was sharp.

“But obviously it wasn’t,” said Mickelson.

The popular left-hander lost out to Stenson by three shots 12 months ago, despite starting with a major championship record-equalling low score of 63 in the first round. — AFP.