Shane Lowry takes a two shot lead into the week of The Open Championship after a brutal second round at Royal Troon
When players went to bed on Thursday night, they probably hoped that things would, at the very least, stay the same as they negotiated a change in wind direction during the first round. But this is The Open and links golf... nothing is for certain. So mother nature played her card and the wind blew at 20mph or more at times during Friday's second round.
Players again seemed to be taken off guard and the lower scoring front nine proved hard to score on (again) whilst the back nine gave a little back. Flags leaned away from the wind whilst some balls struggled to stay stationary at times.
Royal Troon really showed its teeth even though the rain didn't fall. It was a brutal, brutal day where the majority of players looked grateful to just survive the punishing weather and slow rounds.
Shane Lowry kept his composure
Sitting at the top of the leaderboard is Shane Lowry. Having started the day in second place and coming out strong in the tough windy conditions - birdies on the first, fourth and eighth and a bogey on five, saw Lowry make the turn at two-under-par. Things were on track but a wayward shot on 11 ended up with a 20 minute delay as a lost ball was found - a double bogey followed but the animated Irishman remained calm and holed two more birdies on 16 and 18 to shoot 69 and hold a two shot lead at seven-under-par.
"It was good. I felt like I went out there, I was in control of my ball, did all the right things for a lot of the round. Then when I got in a bit of trouble, I feel like I really finished the round well."
He is two shots clear of his closest rivals, first round leader Daniel Brown and fellow Solheim Cup team member Justin Rose. With World number one Scottie Scheffler only five shots behind and 10 players undering par, what does Lowry think of the chasers?
"I don't know. I'm not sure Scottie Scheffler is too worried about anyone with the form he's in. He's obviously on the leaderboard, and he's one person that people are going to be talking about. There's some other guys there as well. I see Justin Rose going well, and this guy Daniel Brown, I've never played with him, but obviously he had a great day yesterday and looks to be going all right today. I don't know, like I think if I give myself a chance on Sunday, I know I can do it. That's as good a position to be in as any."
Daniel Brown remains cool, calm and collected

With an English duo are in second. Overnight leader Daniel Brown kept his composure and showed no real issues with the Old Course. Three bogies and two birdies were pretty benign considering what other players were going through on Friday. Reflecting upon his round, the 29-year-old said:
"It was certainly three or four shots harder, I would have said. Even the front nine played a lot stronger, and then the back, you would think going back downwind, it would make it easier, but it was so firm that it was a proper struggle to try and hold onto some of the greens really.
What does Brown feel he will see playing with Lowry in the final group on Saturday?
"Just grit and determination, which he always seems to have. Hopefully I'll get to witness that firsthand tomorrow and try and hopefully go toe to toe with him."
Hopes for a fairytale ending for Justin Rose

Potentially the story of the week is with fellow final qualifier Justin Rose who may have been playing a different course the last two days as it took 30 holes before he made a blemish on his scorecard. In fact that was the only blemish he has made across the 36 holes played so far.
The 43-year-old has more than proved that he deserves his place this week after coming through final qualifying at Burnham and Berrow. The final birdie came on the 18th hole where he holed a 40ft putt, raising his fits into the air whilst the crowd roared. A moment to enjoy and take into the weekend:
"That was such a fun way to finish. Obviously I celebrated, and there was the realisation I didn't have to hit another shot, could really kind of let my guard down and enjoy the day because it was a really hardworking, good round of golf. To finish that way was obviously special with the crowds, being a fairly full grandstand Friday afternoon. It was really good to enjoy that one."
A three-under-par 68 will see the Englishman out in the penultimate group on Saturday.
Only 10 players under par at Royal Troon
Three players - Billy Horschel, Dean Burmester and Scottie Scheffler - are three shots further back at two-under-par with Horschel matching Rose's 68 which was the lowest scoring round of the day.
Jason Day and Patrick Cantlay also had rounds of 68 and are one shot behind at one-under-par with Corey Conners and Xander Schauffele.
Big names miss the cut

It happens at every Major but some bigger names than normal failed to make the cut line at six-over-par on Friday at Royal Troon. None more so than one of the favourites Rory McIlroy who was six-over-par for his round after six holes (including a treble bogey on four), he did rally but two birdies on 14 and 16 (which included holing out from the bunker on 14) where not nearly enough and he finished on 11-over-par.
"I think once I made the eight on the 4th hole, that was it. 22 holes into the event and I'm thinking about where I'm going to go on vacation next week."
Another player that many have hoped would be contending but is instead heading home is U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (+9).
The 150th Open Champion Cameron Smith (+12), Wyndham Clark (+16), Tiger Woods (+14), Viktor Hovland (+10), Tony Finau (+10), Ludvig Aberg (+9) and Tommy Fleetwood (+9) where just a few of the other high profile casualties.
The wind is meant to drop a little and damp conditions are forecast for when the leaders head out on Saturday. One thing is for sure, there are still 36 holes to play and if Royal Troon (and mother nature) have anything to do with it, there's a lot more drama to come.