The Open 2019: Tommy Fleetwood enters conflict with second round 67

Tommy Fleetwood's best result at an Open came last year when he finished on the 12th

Tommy Fleetwood from England shot a second round four-under-par 67 to fight himself in the fight at seven under at the 148th Open in Royal Portrush.

Last year, the US Open won second of more favorable conditions on Friday morning to sink six birdies and produce only two bogeys to set the clubhouse's early lead.

World number one Brooks Koepka is popular with his heels on five under after a 69.

American 2017 champion Jordan Spieth is also at five below in the clubhouse.

Fleetwood said 2019 has the "potential to be great" for him.

"I felt like I was much more stress-free," said the 28-year-old whose last win was in January 2018 in Abu Dhabi. "I made two or three good par-saves, but I enjoy the challenge," he said.

"It seemed like a much better scoreable morning, but the course doesn't do much for many birdies, so you have to be patient.

Spieth rises to the leaderboard with three birdies and an eagle

"My main achievements were not as good as the year before. It has been a quieter year, but with the potential to be great – I've been there two or three times in the PGA Tour and not won."

The English duo Justin Rose and Lee Westwood will also be looking for challenges during the weekend.

World number four Rose grabbed two shots to move to four under-through 11 holes with 2010 second place Westwood on the same score after 12.

The projected cut is one over, with former Tiger winners Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy all have a difficult task to make the weekend after disappointing rounds on the opening day in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy scored a 79, of which a quadruple bogey at the first and a triple bogey at the last, and starts his second round at 15:10 BST.