Jordan Spieth was afforded four ‘free drops’ on route to a four over par tally through two rounds of the 145th Open Championship on a wet and miserable second day at Royal Troon.

Spieth posted a four over par 75 to make it to the final two rounds of the year’s third Major that left the double Major winner trailing 14 shots behind fellow American Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson had moved to 11-under par on day two before ending at 10-under par with a round of 69 following Thursday’s blistering 63.

In contrast Spieth went into day two on level par but was in trouble from outset loudly calling out: “Fore, left!” off the opening tee and with his tee shot clearing the fixed spectator fencing down the left side of the first hole.

PGA Tour rules official, Mark Wilson was walking with Spieth’s match and after some time indicated he could have a free drop on the fairway side of the fencing.

Jordan Spieth gets four ‘free drops’ on route to a four over tally.

That was Spieth’s first ‘free drop’ on route to a bogey ‘5’.

He got a second when he put his second shot over the same metal fencing at the left side of the first green.

Spieth got a third ‘free drop’ of his round when his second shot at the par five, sixth hole came to rest in a fairway spectator crossing and also leading to a bogey.

He was given a fourth ‘free drop’ when he second shot came to rest near a spectator stand to the right of the 10th green.

Overall, Spieth’s game was very average and with plenty of misadventure off the tee including pushing his drive well right off the tee at the 12th hole and then hurting his wrist in playing his third shot from the left side of the same hole from heather and rough.

It stayed dry for much of Spieth’s round but then the heaven’s opened at the 15th and 16th holes and with view off the 16th very bleak given the wind-driven rain at the time.

The American had walked off the 17th hole with the electronic scoreboard indicating the cut to be 73 players at +3 but by the time Spieth walked off the 18th green a few moments later it had moved to four over par and thus allowing Spieth to play all four rounds.

“We might have caught the rough end of the draw but then that happens,” he said.

“It kind of shook if off to an extend at the end of the round.  Just tried to smile, tried to enjoy the fact that you don’t this weather often.

“You wish your score didn’t matter when you play in this.  You wish this was just a round with your buddies where you go into the clubhouse and have one or seven pints afterwards.”