Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods are in good spots after two rounds of this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield.

Westwood, who is looking to capture a first Major, was out at 9am earlier today adding a second day 68 to his 72 to move to three under par and then share of fifth place.

The 14-time Major winning Woods teed off 44 minutes later and birdied the last in a level par 71 to be tied with Westwood.

“I was pleased to have  been six-under through 12 because I was playing some great stuff and it was just getting harder as the holes progressed, tougher to score, tougher to get it close,” said Westwood.

“I was hitting the ball well, putting nicely. The golf course got really difficult and the finish is tough as 16, 17 and 18 are playing hard.

“We had an advantage (playing in the morning). I’ll kick back this afternoon on the couch and watch some struggles and the cricket.”

Woods had looked in command of his play off the tee and with his long irons but struggled to really get to grips with the greens.

The World No. 1 twice got to three under par early on with birdies at the third and fifth holes but then stuck in a three-putt bogey after coming up short at the par three fourth hole.

After turning in 36 it was more of a grind coming home and only a 15-foot birdie putt at the last maintained his status at two-under as he carded a level-par 71.

Stenson shot 70 to improve his score by one and was relatively happy after struggles with his game in the last year.

“I’m up here and playing in a big tournament again. I think I’ve got the experience to do well in these championships,” said the Swede who had gone close to victory in last week’s Scottish Open.

“I’m very happy with the patience and then the mental balance that I’ve managed to keep these first two days.

“That’s one of the secrets to do well in this game and especially these tournaments and I’ve done well so far.”

Westwood’s prediction about the afternoon starters was not far wrong as none of them were able to make as much headway early on as he had done in the morning.

That was mainly as a result of the course drying out under the relentless baking sun and breeze blowing down the Firth of Forth.

Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, began the day four under but after dropping a shot at the short fourth birdied the fifth and seventh to move to five under to tie with overnight leader Johnson, who had still not teed off.

Compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez’s approach to within three feet at the second briefly took him to four under but he gave that shot back after finding rough off the next tee.

Scotland’s Martin Laird got himself into the top 10 with a level-par 71 for a one-under total.

Woods was also happy with his position and he too hoped the tricky afternoon conditions he had to play in yesterday would now do him a favour.

“I’m in a good spot. I’m tied for the clubhouse lead,” said the 14-time major winner.

“These guys have to go out this afternoon and obviously play a golf course that’s quick and it’s drying out and with a different wind so it will be tough out there.

“I’ve just got to continue plodding along, continue just being patient, putting the ball in the right spots.

“We’re not going to get a lot of opportunities out there but when I have I’ve been able to capitalise and hopefully I can continue doing that.”

Cabrera-Bello’s position at the top of the leaderboard lasted just a hole as he missed a 15ft par putt at the next.

That dropped him into a tie with Brandt Snedeker, who tapped in a four-footer for birdie at the 377-yard third.