Fitzpatrick: I feel different after US Open | Hatton: Nice to reach weekend!

Matthew Fitzpatrick admits his US Open triumph has given him the confidence to believe he can win The Open this weekend after the Englishman put himself in contention with a fine round-two performance. 

The recently-crowned Brookline champion fired seven birdies to rise up the leaderboard at St Andrews and position himself on six under, having been frustrated across a round of 72 on Thursday.

Fitzpatrick birdied two of his final five holes in Boston to fend off the threat of playing partner Will Zalatoris and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler on his way towards lifting the Wanamaker Trophy.

"I feel different [since the US Open]," he said. "I can compete, and I can win. It's definitely been a positive. It doesn't hold me back. It's not something I'm nervous about. I've got to show myself a bit more. Yeah, it's just given me that extra confidence, I guess."

A highlight of Fitzpatrick's second round came at the 16th when he holed a 67-foot putt on a day that saw him and others seemingly find more joy on what have proven tricky greens.

The 27-year-old endured a mixed opening day that included just three birdies alongside three bogeys across a round that lasted upwards of six hours.

"I didn't really get anything going yesterday," he said. "Played solid tee to green but found it hard to get near some of the flags with the wind and the firmness. The rain helped things today. I gave myself plenty of chances and took most of them.

"I have played well all year and the confidence I have in my game gives me a chance. I am back into it and another round like that tomorrow I will be right in the mix.

"I think this year is a little bit different given my success already and I think if I can keep doing what I've been doing all year there's