Even when Jordan Spieth was in trouble, he wasn't.
Rain poured down as he took an awkward stance off the 10th green Friday at Royal Birkdale. Caddie Michael Greller held an umbrella over Spieth as he took one quick but purposeful practice swing after another.
Greller backed away. Spieth took his club back, made contact, and ... drained it. That's when he really got going.
Spieth's magical chip on 10 kept him in a four-way tie for the lead at this 146th British Open, but it didn't take long for the 23-year-old Texan to take the reins at golf's oldest championship.
Spieth battled the wind and rain as the British Open finally introduced British Open weather, and he carded a one-under 69 to grab a two-shot lead heading into the weekend. He's six under for the tournament and two ahead of Matt Kuchar.
While Thursday produced a few spurts of strong winds, Friday was the real challenge. The wind howled early and the rain dumped late. After 39 players broke par in the first round, only six players have so far Friday. And that number won't reach double digits.