The Englishman is four behind leader KJ Choi and three behind 'Great White Shark' Norman, who has surprised everyone at Royal Birkdale with two rounds of 70 in testing conditions.

At 53 questions remain about whether the Australian, an Open champion in 1986 and 1993, has the stamina to battle what could be an even tougher weekend with the weather.

But Poulter revealed he would be happy to play alongside Norman come tomorrow.

"It would be quite nice to have a Sunday pairing with Greg. My dad would love it, he's his all-time favourite," he said.

"It is awesome. I am still a massive Greg fan and to see him on the leaderboard, that is rolling back the years.

"I remember 20 years ago watching him play. It's the same, but he's a little older now.

"But links golf can throw up some surprises; some guys can plod it in play, they have won majors before, and they make sure they don't make silly mistakes."

Thirty-two-year-old Poulter carded a one-over 71 after opening with a 72 and he said the most important thing was to ensure he had a late tee-time today, when the worst of the weather with 45mph winds is predicted to be over.

"I was aware the forecast (for this afternoon) was better than the morning so I wanted to play well for that fact," he added.

"I can have a nice lie in, turn the TV on and get a nice afternoon tee-off time.

"I'll learn a bit from the telly, see some lines and then go and play golf.

"If there is no rain and wind at 15mph you are going to see a few (low) scores, but if there is wind and rain it is going to be tricky.

"But I am in position. I am playing good."

John Daly, the 1995 champion at St Andrew's, departed early after a horrendous 89, his worst round in the event by nine strokes. It included a quintuple bogey nine on the 499-yard par four 13th, one of four holes on the course playing downwind.

He crashed out at the rear of the field on 29 over par, breaking 50 on the back nine by just one shot.