SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Greg Norman defied his 53 years by grabbing the lead early in the second round of the British Open on Friday.

With the rain temporarily relenting and winds dropping to 25kph from Thursday's 50kph (30mph) blasts, the former world number one treated galleries to the kind of golf that won him the coveted Claret Jug in 1986 and 1993.

Norman, who started his campaign with an excellent level-par round of 70, opened his second round with a birdie three at the 450-yard first hole.

The Australian, known as the 'Great White Shark', suffered a setback when an errant drive at the sixth cost him a double-bogey six.

But Norman prompted a loud roar from the crowd when he hit back in stunning fashion, rolling in a 25-foot birdie putt at the next hole.

Norman, who married former tennis great Chris Evert in the Bahamas last month, then sank a 20-footer for another birdie at the eighth before parring the ninth to be out in 33 and stand one-under par for the championship.

That gave him a one-shot lead over Fredrik Jacobson, who had carded two birdies through five holes, fellow Swede Peter Hanson (three) and Briton Simon Wakefield (one).

U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, world number four Adam Scott and South African Retief Goosen were among a cluster of players a stroke further back on one over par.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)