Spieth and Johnson in contention

Food was on the mind of two American contenders at The 149th Open as Jordan Spieth plans to take more with him on the course and Dustin Johnson believes dinner will taste better after a strong finish to his round.

Louis Oosthuizen sits atop the leaderboard on -11 at the halfway stage at Royal St George’s but Spieth is only three shots behind at -8, while Johnson is one stroke further back at -7.

2017 Champion Golfer Spieth endured an up-and-down round of five birdies and two bogeys for an overall 67, following his day-one 65. 

The second half of the back nine in particular was a struggle but he fought hard to remain right in contention ahead of his 3.45pm tee time with Dylan Frittelli, even if he didn’t have the right sustenance with him on Friday.

“The par on 18 was certainly nice. Those last six holes were kind of frustrating and I felt, I don't know, I think I need to bring more food on the golf course tomorrow,” he explained.  

“I got really just in a weird head space, like fatigued there on the 13th green as we were waiting and hitting putts.  

“I just didn't stay focused like I was early in the round. I wasn't very sharp but it's an easy solution for tomorrow.  

“The finish on 18 probably securing a second to last group on a Saturday is a good position to be in, although it was an afternoon where I was eyeing a number lower than what I finished at.” 

JOHNSON STORMS TO NEAR TOP OF LEADERBOARD 

Meanwhile, Johnson was a birdie machine to storm into contention with a scintillating 65, as he seeks his first Claret Jug. 

He made two bogeys – one of which came when he got stuck behind the only tree at Royal St George’s, on the 3rd – but a mammoth seven birdies. 

Those birdies included three in a row between the 12th and 14th, and a morale-booster on 18 after a gem of an approach shot. 

“Any time you can birdie the last hole it definitely makes dinner taste a little bit better,” said the world No.1, who finished as a runner-up to Darren Clarke at Royal St George's 10 years ago. “I feel like I'm in a good position heading into the weekend. 

“I just got unfortunate it was right underneath the tree (on 3). The first few holes played very difficult and I knew they were going to play tough.  

“I made a nice par save on 4, a really good birdie on 5 and then made some nice birdies from there on in. I kind of got my round off to a good start. 

“The course is definitely firming up. It was firmer this afternoon and it's definitely going to keep getting firmer if the weather stays like this.  

“I like the position I'm in going into the weekend. I’m still going to have to play some really good golf if I want to contend on Sunday though.”