Cool Jimenez ready to grind it out

Such has been the gruelling nature of this 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield over the first 36 holes that whoever survives to lift the famous Claret Jug tomorrow evening will rightfully lay claim to the motto ‘He Who Grinds, Wins’.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez holds a slender lead on three under par at the halfway stage on a bone-dry, hard-bouncing and long-running links that will truly reward the fittest, most patient and even-tempered golfer, of which there are several candidates tantalisingly poised within four shots of the lead.

The complaints about the course condition and set-up that surfaced on the opening day were made to look churlish during yesterday’s second round, forcing several including Phil Mickelson to sample a slice of humble pie as Muirfield again bared its teeth while also clearly identifying the best players in the field.