British Open Leaderboard 2017: Saturday Score Updates and Tournament Predictions

Jordan Spieth owns a two-shot lead at the 2017 British Open ahead of Round 3 at Royal Birkdale Golf club in Southport, Merseyside, on Saturday.

Spieth is two strokes ahead of fellow American Matt Kuchar and three in front of Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka, per the official Twitter account for The Open:

Check the tournament's official website for score updates during Saturday's play.

The leader shot a terrific 69 on Friday, tying a low mark over 36 holes along the way, per the European Tour official Twitter account:

Yet for all the good things he did during the second round, Spieth's card was not without a few blemishes. To be exact, the American hit four bogeys, but he did counteract those gaffes with a trio of birdies and an eagle.

Spieth's putting was typically excellent, particularly in the rain-drenched conditions in Merseyside on Friday. Speaking of the weather, the tournament's official Twitter account is anticipating major improvements in the conditions:

Based on his current form, better weather is likely to lead to an even better Spieth. Expect the 23-year-old to finish as good as two- or three-under on day three.

Spieth has a commanding lead of five shots over Rory McIlroy, but the world No. 4 showed signs his game is back on track, or at least close to it, on Friday. McIlroy got his second round started in emphatic fashion:

The 2014 Open winner was indeed in the mood, as he collected three birdies on the front nine, before completing the par-five 17th with a stroke to spare. It was all part of a more than solid 68 and two-under finish.

Paul McGinley of Sky Sports praised the increased swagger in McIlroy's game: "He certainly looks like he has turned a corner. His body language has all changed, there's a bounce in his step, he's standing over the ball and he's hitting."

At his best, few players can match McIlroy's technique on swing. He's now showing improvement on the greens, a sign the golfer who missed the cut at the U.S., Scottish and Irish Opens is ready to seriously challenge again for a win at a major.

In the spirit of steady improvement, McIlroy will again finish two-under and add a few more birdies to his card in the process.

Despite McIlroy's signs of life, the sternest challenge to Spieth will come from U.S. Open winner Koepka. He stayed in touch in a tie for third with Poulter, despite shooting a two-over 72 in the last round.

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There were too many pars and not a single birdie on Koepka's card. However, he has already proved his ability to hit peak form at the business end of a major.

Koepka will do the day the same on Day 3 by shooting a one-under 69 to keep the pressure on Spieth.

Par finishes were tough to come by in the rain on Friday, but this Open has been defined by the congestion at the top. A similar pattern will still be present at the end of Round 3.

All scorecard information per the tournament's official website.