Englishman Danny Willett and 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson have taken advantage of the soft early conditions at St Andrews.

Willett is four-under on his opening nine on Friday to be 10-under overall, three clear of American Johnson, who was also two-under through nine holes to reach eight-under.

With heavy winds forecast late in the day, players out early are trying to make hay while the sun half shines.

Steven Bowditch is the best of the Australians to have started round two, moving to five-under overall through 13 holes.

Jason Day is still the leading Australian after his six-under 66 on Thursday.

Overnight downpours flooded the Old Course at St Andrews but after a near three and a half hour delay play resumed in dry and breezy conditions.

Groundskeepers were forced to sweep tonnes of standing water on the opening hole into the famous Swilcan Burn as the home of golf was bucketed with rain and high winds making play impossible.

Puddles formed elsewhere on the historic links including the famous valley of sin in front of the 18th green.

Overnight leader, American, Dustin Johnson remains tied with Zach Johnson for second at seven-under the card, but is yet to commence his round.

Johnson will now have to wait until 5:48pm local time before starting round two in what weather officials are predicting will be 25-35mile per hour winds.

Day also has a long wait, now due out at 6:10 pm and could fit most of his round in as it doesn’t get dark at the Old Course until around 10pm local time.

Chasing the fabled grand slam, Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth is five shots adrift after signing for a five-under 67 on Thursday.