British Open Leaderboard 2015: Friday Score Updates and Tournament Predictions

With one round of the 2015 Open Championship in the books, things are looking eerily similar to last month's U.S. Open at the top of the leaderboard.

Just like at Chambers Bay, a duel between Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson has the world of golf on the edge of their seats at the Old Course at St. Andrews. Johnson began Friday's second round with the lead at seven strokes under par, while Spieth is just two shots back in his quest for a third straight major championship.

But they are only the start of a jam-packed group of golfers just a few strokes from the lead. Take a look below at the updated leaderboard as Day 2 action rolls along:

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The scene has changed drastically and they have traveled halfway across the world, but the turn of a new major hasn't brought any change to Johnson's prevalence at the top of the leaderboard.

It looks like Johnson isn't doomed from that fateful three-putt in the U.S. Open that saw him first concede the title before missing a chance to force a playoff with Spieth. He bounced back in the best fashion possible, posting the low score of Day 1 at seven under. 

Getting on the course before strong winds hit later in the day didn't hurt, but Johnson's huge power off the tee and a honed-in irons game simply stood out from the pack. Nothing less than a long weekend in contention should be expected, considering Johnson also held a co-lead after one day at Chambers Bay.

However, it was another Johnson who stole the show in the second half of Thursday.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Increasingly difficult wind conditions saw many of the afternoon golfers struggle to card low scores, but Zach Johnson scoffed at the conditions. He carded an opening-round 66 to all but ensure he makes the Open cut for the ninth straight year.

What's more, he could be aided by playing early Friday while the vast majority of the leaders have late tee times, as The Cauldron's Andy Glockner observed:

Of course, continuing the trend of American resurgence is the name being talked about more than any leading up to the week at St. Andrews.

Spieth may be two shots off the lead as Friday's action begins, but that's far from an unfortunate spot to be in. Even after missing a handful of fairways, he needed to bogey twice on the back nine to give up a share of the lead.

Similar rounds to start the last two majors also happened to result in championships for him as of late, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:

Questions were inevitably asked of Spieth coming into St. Andrews, a course he's never played in a major and whether it would adapt to his game. Well, he quietly proved that Thursday, even leaving a few out there that could have put him neck and neck with Dustin Johnson.

The increasing winds figure to hurt Dustin Johnson's big game off the tee more than Spieth's, and the 21-year-old's incredible control from the fairways will loom large. As things enter the weekend in a dead heat between them with a number of worthy contenders surrounding the duo, we've already learned what happens in such situations.

Prediction: Spieth beats Dustin Johnson to win 2015 Open Championship