Jordan Spieth shines through rain and wind at The Open Championship

Jordan Spieth overcame harsh conditions at Royal Birkdale to hold the outright 36-hole Open Championship lead

Jordan Spieth almost always seems to find a way to win, even in the face of long odds. We’ve seen it time and time again over the last five years, and Friday was no different. With heavy winds and rain blowing through Royal Birkdale, Spieth willed his way to a one-under-par round of 69, and he heads into the weekend with a two-stroke lead at The Open Championship.

Spieth raised some eyebrows a few days ago when he proclaimed that The Open was, in his opinion, the easiest major to win. His reasoning, though, was simple. Nowhere else does something as simple as the forecast take out so many players in the field.

"“It could be anybody this week,” said Spieth. “At this tournament it tends to fall on half the field. You kind of cut half the field, depending on the draw. Sometimes it’s more or less 75 percent.“But most of the time there’s at least a group that gets the worst weather. And it’s almost impossible to win in that circumstance at an Open Championship.”"

There’s the key word: almost. Nobody got anything resembling “good” weather on Friday in Southport, but Spieth certainly caught his fair share of the storms. But through all of it, he did what he’s always done, and dug out shots when he needed them the most.

Spieth was one-over for the day through nine, and looked like he would give one back on No. 10. He chipped in for par, then drilled a long birdie on the 11th to get back to 5-under for the tournament. An eagle on the par-5 15th sent Spieth to -7, three clear of the field. A bogey on the 16th stung, but it wouldn’t derail his momentum.

History favors Spieth with the Claret Jug on the line

A 36-hole lead is always a good thing to have, but when you look at recent Opens, it’s far from a sure thing. Over the past ten years, just three of the leaders at the midway point have raised the Claret Jug on Sunday evening. Rory McIlroy converted a four-stroke lead in 2014, Darren Clarke co-led with Lucas Glover in 2011, and Louis Oosthuizen held a five-shot cushion in 2010.

Why is Spieth such a favorite, then? For starters, he’s converted five of his last six 36-hole leads into wins. We’ll never forget the one and only time he didn’t.

More than that, however, is just the way he’s found ways to score. Spieth hit just eight greens in regulation in the blustery conditions on Friday, compared to 15 on Thursday. He kept the putter as hot as it’s ever been, and never never made bogey twice in a row. It was pedal-to-the-metal golf, as much as Birkdale would allow.

Certainly, Spieth will have his challengers. Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka are all within three shots of the lead, and could easily pick up on any opportunity. Even McIlroy lurks at -1, with his game on the mend.

That closer’s mentality, however, has been proven time and time again. 36 down, 36 to go, and Spieth has his sights firmly set on the Claret Jug.

Next: The Open: Royal Birkdale Champions

Can Jordan Spieth take the third leg of his career Grand Slam this weekend? Let us know in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter @ProGolfNow. Catch all the action this weekend at TheOpen.com.