British Open 2017: Tee Times, Pairings and Predictions for Saturday Schedule

Jordan Spieth leads the 2017 British Open after ending the second day on six under for the tournament on Friday.

The superstar was once again in excellent form as he carded a second round of one-under 69 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.

However, the field remains tight as Rory McIlroy fired himself into contention as the rain fell on Merseyside.

McIlroy produced his vintage best to hole out on two under for the day, leaving him on one under for the championship.

Here is the latest leaderboard:

Tee times and pairings for Saturday will be confirmed by The Open's official website.

Saturday Predictions

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The two most exciting golfers in the world will battle it out as McIlroy chases Spieth on Saturday.

Royal Birkdale's greens are set to play slower after the conditions in the north-west, setting up a final two days of intriguing golf.

Spieth had his troubles on the front nine during the second day of action, but his recovery to save pars was the story of his round.

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

An eagle on No. 15 helped the 23-year-old to a two-shot lead over the field, but McIlroy showed he might be back to his best.

The Northern Irishman produced his best performance for some time, and he was pumping his fist in the air as he shot a two-under 68.

McIlroy jumped from No. 51 on the leaderboard to joint-seventh, and he remains only five shots off the lead.

Jason Sobel of ESPN.com tipped his hat to the 28-year-old:

Spieth will need a collapse in his form to not be in contention on the final day, but the weather has damaged many top star's chances.

The American carded four bogeys during Day 2, and if his putting fails, the field will strike.

McIlroy only needs to repeat his second-round effort to surely climb the leaderboard, and he was clearly exuberant as he approached the clubhouse.

None of the players resting above McIlroy could break par in the awful conditions—except for Spieth.

Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The competition could become a direct shootout between golf's most talented players from either side of the pond.

Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar are both well placed to attack on Saturday, but golf fans will want to see a classic battle between Spieth and McIlroy.

Ian Poulter continues to show excellent form, residing on three under for the championship, but the Englishman could only achieve level par during his second round.

Spieth should have enough to stay in control at the end of Day 3, but he will desire a bigger lead with the unpredictability of the weather on the links course.

Saturday Prediction: Spieth to lead by three shots after the third round.