Portrush, Northern Ireland: Australian star Marc Leishman said he will enjoy a pint or two of Guinness after carding a three-under round of 68 to put him in a strong position ahead of the weekend at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

The Victorian was in the first group on Friday morning (local time), which was both good and bad.

A 4am alarm clock was far from ideal, but it did mean he got the best of the conditions on a dry second morning at the coastal course.

“Everything felt pretty good. [I] putted well, [and] probably left a couple out there. [I] had a three-putt on [hole] 5, but that was a really tough pin. [I] drove it well, [and] didn’t hit any fairway bunkers today, which was good. That’s what killed me yesterday,” Leishman told reporters after walking off the 18th, where he pushed a birdie putt just wide after a beautiful eight-iron approach.

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“[I’m] happy with how everything was feeling. Obviously that little mishap on 13 there – it’s a bit scary when that happens. [There was a] Two-hole stretch that [I] didn’t sort of do a whole lot wrong apart from that tee shot on 13. [I’m] happy with the day.”

After birdying five of the opening 12 holes, Leishman made back-to-back bogies before steadying the ship to finish at one-under for the first two rounds.

With more heavy rain forecast to hit in the afternoon, Leishman is now able to relax and watch the potential carnage that will unfold from the comfort of the clubhouse.

Or perhaps the pub.