'That's right up there,' says Rory McIlroy who lies five shots off leader Jordan Spieth

An "ecstatic" Rory McIlroy had no need for a pep talk after one of his best Open Championship rounds kept him firmly in contention for a fifth major title at a wet and windy Royal Birkdale.

McIlroy added a 68 to his opening 71 to post a halfway total of one under par and lie five shots off the pace set by two-time major winner Jordan Spieth.