ST ANDREWS, Scotland (AFP) - Englishman Danny Willett remains the second round clubhouse leader on nine under at the Open Championship on Friday with five players two shots back at windswept St Andrews.

The Sheffield 27-year-old carded a fine 69 to go with his opening day 67 after play was suspended early morning for over three hours after torrential rains engulfed the famous par-72 layout.

Overnight American leader Dustin Johnson will begin his second round at 5.48pm on seven under while Scotland's Marc Warren, American Zach Johnson and former world No. 1 Adam Scott are already in the clubhouse on the same score.

Another American Robert Streb completes the quintet on seven under after picking up an early birdie down his second round front nine.

Texan 21-year-old Jordan Spieth, who is in the same group as Johnson, is part of an eight man pack on five under as he maintains his challenge for a third straight major title, to start the season, and emulate Ben Hogan's 1953 feat.

Another Englishman Justin Rose is also part of the chasing pack on five under, through 16 holes, and Anirban Lahiri continues to make headlines for India, also four shots back, after a solid 70 to follow his first round 69.

Tiger Woods likely needs to card a score in the mid-sixties to have any chance of making the cut expected to fall at one under.

Many of the groups teeing off late will have to finish their second rounds on Saturday.