Image source, Getty Images

American Keegan Bradley told Radio 5 live: "It is the first time I have played in my rain gear all year. This was tough, nothing gets you used to these conditions.

"I love this tournament, love being out here, to have a chance to win is amazing."

Bubba Watson toils with the wind on the third as he looks to pitch on to the green from the rough, but the American pulls it short and the ball tumbles into a bunker.

Two-time major winner Jordan Spieth also struggles with the blustery conditions, finding the sand on the fifth.

Defending champion Zach Johnson told Radio 5 live: "On a day like today it's brutal but what Henrik did was pretty impressive. I didn't score very well coming in but there are some positives.

"Anything can happen. If I can get my putter hot and strike it clean then I can get up that board."

Image source, Getty Images

Justin Rose has to walk over and collect his club after hurling it through the air, the Englishman frustrated by a poor shot.

He then cards seven, a double bogey, and that opening round of three under on Thursday has already been wiped out on day two, just four holes in.

Image source, Getty Images

Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who is one shot behind leader Phil Mickelson told Radio 5 live: "I am very happy with my round, I timed it very well with three birdies in a row before the weather got bad. I dropped a shot on nine with a soft bogey, the only bogey of the day, but I am really happy with the way I hung on in the wind and rain and got a couple of birdies on the way home.

"It would be big, massive, huge if I won. I've had a nice career up to date and managed to win some nice tournaments, but this would be the icing on the cake."

Patrick Reed was ticking along nicely, but has since found the sand and that inevitably equals bogey - a first dropped shot of the day for the American.

It's better news for Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, though, he's made a promising start to his Friday at Royal Troon and cards a birdie at the second.

Jordan Spieth goes through his practice routine, looks like he's about to strike the ball, and then pulls up.

So the American starts it all over again, taking an iron on his approach to the par-five fourth he puts the ball to the right of the green, and a couple of bunkers.

Rickie Fowler flops out of the sand nicely and that will be a par on two. Still at three under. Nice escape. Relaxed, in control.

Soren Kjeldsen equalled this tally yesterday but it's harder out there today.

Andrew 'The Beef' Johnston. You star. Currently the best-placed Englishman.

Image source, .

Russell Knox, who is level par at halfway, could well be the only Scotsman to make the cut, which is currently projected to come at one over par.

Colin Montgomerie has double-bogeyed the par-four 11th to drop to two over, the same score as compatriots Richie Ramsey and 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie.

Ramsey has eight holes to play, Lawrie 11.

The two other Scots in the field will definitely be watching on the tele this weekend - Marc Warren followed yesterday's 77 with a 76 today to finish 11 over, while veteran Sandy Lyle, winner way back in 1985 is propping up the field on +19 with eight holes to play.

Patrick Reed is through seven and has made a shot on the leader Phil Mickelson. That birdie at the fifth has been complemented by a series of pars.

The American led at times yesterday, posting an impressive 66, but he's currently four shots off the lead.

Danny Willett will be frustrated again, a bogey on one, he pays for missing the green from the fairway.

Both he, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler move onto two and the latter finds sand from the fairway. How is the ball sitting? It's a deep bunker so it has to be kind.

Rory has a little more work to do than I first thought, and he can't quite convert for a birdie to open his second round. Instead it's par for the Northern Irishman.

Oh dear, Bubba Watson flirts with the cup but with far too much on his putt the ball shoots out the other side - a dropped shot at the first opportunity for the American.

Matsuyama also makes par.

Image source, Reuters

“These conditions are what I grew up in.  I’m certainly used to playing in bad weather. I like this kind of golf. I like the battling mentality that you need. I do thrive in this.”  

Those are the words of Soren Kjeldsen. He sounds like he should be in Game of Thrones. Could the Claret Jug be heading to Denmark?

Bubba Watson, sporting a bit of an off-white theme from his wardrobe today, approaches up the first and is followed up to the edge of the green by Hideki Matsuyama.

Rory McIlroy bides his time, before finding a great line and almost perfect length to nestle up nice and close to that pin.

Patrick Reed is taking aggressive to a new level as he putts on the par five sixth. It leaves a tough recovery but he makes it.

We are now looking for a sighting. Not Loch Ness or the ghost of William Wallace, we need a sighting of one man who will steam through the field to give Phil Mickelson nightmares.

Rickie Fowler? Stunning ball into the first green almost hits the flag and the American converts for birdie.

Shane Lowry has it all to do today, starting on seven-over par.

But the Irishman has given himself the perfect start to make the cut with birdie, birdie.

As the water laps to Rory McIlroy's right he's intent on just keeping this ball flight under control. There's no need for madness on hole one. Good strike, complete control.

Hideki Matsuyama is also in black pants, blue coat and guess what, he follows Rory down the right of the fairway.

What's this? Bubba Watson clubbing down? No driver? Surely not? His iron is good.

Birdie opportunity for Sergio Garcia on the last, but the Spaniard doesn't get much right on that one. It leaves him work to do to find par, and he doesn't make it.

A bogey on the 18th for Garcia, who posts a one-under 70 for the day that leaves him four under so far.

Keegan Bradley is also in his group, he holds for par to enter the clubhouse on seven under - scoring 67, 68 - three behind the leader Phil Mickelson.