OFTEN described as one of the best players never to have won a major, Paul Casey hopes to take a giant stride towards shrugging off that tag by finishing his birthday in with a shout of winning the Open Championship.

Casey celebrates his 40th birthday today (Friday) and will start his second round at Royal Birkdale as the leading Brit, one shot adrift of the three overnight leaders from America: Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar.

The birthday boy’s impressive four-under 66 has pushed him right into contention to become the first ever English winner of the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale, while he would also be the first from this country to get his hands on it anywhere since Nick Faldo in 1992.

Compatriots Ian Poulter and Richard Bland only a short further back too, while Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy played himself back into contention by bouncing back from five-over at the turn to start the second round on one-over.

Casey has infuriated many golfing fans from these shores in recent years for pledging his allegiance to the PGA Tour and refusing to take on full European Tour status before last year’s Ryder Cup.

He has lived in the States for the last 20 years, but he still loves returning ‘home’ and he thinks that absence has made the heart grow fonder of the links game he has soon adapted back to in Southport.

Casey said: “The Open has never been the one I've seemed to have fared the best at. I seem to have struggled, apart from St Andrews when Louis Oostihuizen won (2010). My results haven't been good.

“But I feel really good about this week. Don't know why. Maybe I'm more in love with links golf than I was before. Certainly this course helps.

“I really like this course. Not putting that much pressure on myself, but very much wanting to win it. The odds are in my favour - seven first-time winners. So, yeah, it would be a hell of a party, though.”

Seven years ago he finished in a tie for third on the Old Course, while his next best Open outing was here at Royal Birkdale in 2008 when he finished seventh. He is certainly in a good place going into the final few days, sitting 16th in the world.

But, as much as he would like to be at the top of the leaderboard going into the weekend, he is not making any wild predictions because of the poor weather forecast that could make a huge difference to the cards being posted in the next 48 hours.

Casey said: “I made very few errors other than that three putt at 11. Ball control was good. But I felt like I had to do something because, one, you've got already a very strong leaderboard, and, two, with the weather coming, I don't know what's coming, but everybody says everybody is going to get wet on Friday.

“It's like make hay while the sun is shining. I'm not massive fan of playing in the rain. I'm not sure any of the guys are. But it's important to capitalise on good conditions.”

The expected change in conditions have certainly got McIlroy dreaming again. The 2014 champion looked dead and buried after bogeying five of his first nine, but then birdied 11, 15, 17 and 18 to claw his way back up the leaderboard.

McIlroy said: “I was a little indecisive out there but I finally got it going. You have to go with your good feelings. I have been in those positions before and shown the character to bounce back. I feel like I am right back in the thick of things because of the weather forecast and hopefully I will be right in there for the weekend as well.”

Whether it is Casey who ends his wait for a major on Sunday night, McIlroy or somebody else, then they know it is likely Spieth will take some shifting from his perch.

And history suggests it could be an American who wins in Southport. Before Ireland’s Padraig Harrington won in 2008, Aussies and Americans won it on each of the previous eight occasions. Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson were among the winners.

Spieth is certainly in good shape. His iron play was the foundation of his flawless opening round five-under 65, which included a brilliant sand save at 16 and fantastic birdie at 17.

He will not be taking anything for granted, though. Spieth said: “Everything was strong. I thought I give it a nine across the board for everything - tee balls, ball-striking, short game and putting. So things are in check. It's just about keeping it consistent.

“I'm kind of prepared for the worst in terms of the conditions, having experienced it before at an Open. And understand that I can still make pars that way.

“You control the ball off the tee, keep your hands dry, and you grind from inside ten feet or you make a mid-ranger for par, something to keep the momentum going, that's important for tomorrow.

“Being mentally prepared is key. I think I'm going into it, at least going into it the right way, and we'll see if I hold that together.”