Both Moor Park-connected players competing at the Open Championship have made it safely through to the weekend's play at the major for the first time.

Matt Wallace, the Rickmansworth club’s former professional who is now an honorary member, made the halfway cut at Royal Portrush by one shot at one-over-par and will get his third round underway shortly at 10.25am.

Moor Park professional Callum Shinkwin is in a healthier position at one-under-par on the leaderboard and after two previous missed cuts at the major, is due to start a final 36 holes at the championship for the first time at 11.50am.

Following a two-over-par first round of 73, world number 23 Wallace began round two by quickly recovering from a bogey four at the third with a birdie three at the next hole.

The 29-year-old, who failed to make the weekend at his only previous Open appearance last year, played par golf before birdies at the par fifth 12th and par four 14th moved him the right side of expected cut line, only to immediately drop the wrong side of it again with bogeys at the par four 15th and par three 16th.

With his hopes in the balance though, Wallace responded with a birdie three at 17 before a par at the last to complete a one-under-par second round of 70 andleave him in a tie for 58th heading into the final two rounds in County Antrim.

Shinkwin had shot a one-under-par 70 in the first round, but his margin for error with regard to making the weekend disappeared following a double bogey six at the eighth and another dropped shot at the par four 11th.

However, the Watford-born golfer’s response was to be impressive with a superb eagle three at 12 followed by a birdie two at the next hole to ensure he fired an even-par second round of 71.

The 26-year-old goes into the third round in a share of 32nd and knowing a good weekend could prove pivotal in helping him regain the European Tour card he lost last year.

Ireland's Shane Lowry and American JB Holmes lead the way going into the third round on eight-under, one shot clear of the English duo of Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood.