Andy Smith showed all his battling qualities during a spirited second round display at The Open on Friday.

The Tudor Park professional, who was hampered by a lower arm injury during his disappointing 11-over-par opening round 81 on Thursday, carded a respectable second round 73, which included four birdies.

Smith's injury saw him finish the opening round way down the 156-man field at Royal St George's but again backed by a large group of family and friends, he teed-off at 10.59am in warm sunshine with partners South African George Coetzee and Australian Brad Kennedy.

A bogey on the opening 444-yard par-4 1st hole wasn't the start Smith wanted but he birdied the next, much to the delight of his supporters.

He went to the turn in one-over 36 after three more bogeys and back-to-back birdies as the par-3 6th and par-5 7th.

His fourth birdie came on the par-4 12th and four pars followed before he bogeyed the last two holes.

His final putt on the 18th was greeted by loud cheers and despite the disappointment of the dropped shot, he strode to the recorders' office with a smile on his face.

He emerged soon after to be greeted by his supporters but he was soon off for a pre-arranged appointment with a physiotherapist.

Franny McGuirk, the Prince's professional, also misses the weekend action after he followed his opening seven-over par 77 with a second round effort which saw him total 76 to finish 13 over par.

Picture: Andy Smith tees off from the first on the second day of The Open by Barry Goodwin