Home favourite Tommy Fleetwood praises the support of the fans at Royal Birkdale as Scotland's Robert MacIntyre quietly fires himself into contention in round two of the 154th Open…

England's Tommy Fleetwood says the support provided by a home Birkdale crowd has "100%" helped push him into Open contention - but he is not the only British player on the leaderboard ready to strike. Fleetwood, who grew up just up the road in Southport, shot a three-under 67 on Friday to move to joint eighth on four under. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is alongside Fleetwood in a stellar pack which also includes English pair Matt Wallace and Alex Fitzpatrick, as well as Spanish superstar Jon Rahm and defending champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler. The group is four shots behind Australian leader Lucas Herbert - who carded a record-equalling 62 in Friday's second round - with Bryson DeChambeau also well in the mix, despite receiving a controversial two-shot penalty for "inadvertently improving his lie". Despite all the drama, it is Fleetwood who will remain the centre of attention for the fans on Saturday. The local favourite has received rapturous receptions across the course over the opening two days as he looks to finally win a major trophy. After scrambling to an opening-day 69, Fleetwood had to work hard again on Friday before a flurry of three birdies in the final five holes left the home fans celebrating. "They've been an absolute pleasure to play in front of for these two days. I love that I played some good golf there and something to cheer about," said the European Ryder Cup star.