"I think if Greg Norman is interested he is a mighty fine player still. I think it's possible he can win," said defending champion Padraig Harrington after Norman fired consecutive rounds of 70 at Birkdale to trail halfway leader KJ Choi by a single stroke.

Norman insists he plays more tennis than golf these days – hardly surprising when you have just married former tennis star Chris Evert – but the 53-year-old now has a genuine chance to become comfortably the oldest winner of any major. American Julius Boros was 48 when he lifted the 1968 USPGA title.

"My mind still wants to perform well," said Norman, who spent 331 weeks as world number one in the 80s and 90s and won the Open in 1986 and 1993.

"I really don't have the physical ability to go out there and hit balls six to eight hours a day like I used to, but my mind still salivates.

"I still cherish it, I relish it. When I come back from a good practice session I feel great about it."

Harrington was also feeling great about his own chances after playing the last four holes of his second round in four under par to lie three off the lead.

No European has retained the Claret Jug since James Braid in 1906, but Harrington said: "I'm delighted. I'm well in there with 36 holes to go and you just need to be there with nine to play. It's unlikely anybody is going to run away with it."

A year ago at Carnoustie he came from six back on the final day to beat Sergio Garcia in a play-off.

The most remarkable aspect, of course, is that he was able to play only nine holes on Tuesday and none on Wednesday because of a wrist injury.
He was doubtful until he warmed up before his opening 74, but added: "I would have to think I am over the problem now."

Halfway leader Choi, round in 67, is currently ranked 11th in the world compared to Norman's 646th, but incredibly there is an even lower ranked player in the hunt.

American David Duval, the 2001 champion who has since slumped to 1,087th and even stopped playing for a while, was alongside Harrington, Sweden's Alex Noren and first-round joint leaders Graeme McDowell, Rocco Mediate and Robert Allenby on two over.

Colombia's Camilo Villegas was alone in third on one over, the 26-year-old closing his second round with five straight birdies to complete a brilliant 65, the lowest round of the week so far on his Open debut.

Those players could enjoy a lie-in but there were early starts in store for some of the game's big names.

World number two Phil Mickelson made the cut with two to spare on seven over and Colin Montgomerie by one after dropping seven shots in his first six holes yesterday. Ernie Els, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood all just made it through on the mark of nine over.