4 questions to be answered at Royal Portrush this weekend

Moving day at the Open Championship has the makings of something special. With some of golf's biggest names like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy missing the cut, the focus can shift to the top of a leaderboard flush with talent.

Here are four questions that will be answered at the conclusion of Sunday's final round - or perhaps even sooner:

Can Brooks do it again?

Brooks Koepka finds himself right in the thick of another major championship race after Round 2, despite not having his best stuff. The four-time major winner sits three shots back of the leaders at 5-under par and within reach of his fifth win in his last 10 major starts.

Koepka admitted Friday's round wasn't his best performance and that he's frustrated with his putting - a scary thought for the rest of the field. If the 29-year-old comes out firing Saturday morning, the Open Championship could be over before the end of Round 3.

Is Spieth back?

It's a question that's been asked numerous times this season, as Jordan Spieth - currently tied with Koepka at 5-under - is making a habit of peaking early in a tournament before fading as the weekend progresses.

But majors appear different for the 25-year-old. His best finish this season was a T3 at the PGA Championship at a course that didn't suit his game in Bethpage Black. Royal Portrush is a little more forgiving, so Spieth can get creative around the greens without needing to be precise off the tee.

Of the top 11 players on the leaderboard, only Spieth, Koepka, and Justin Rose have major-winning experience, which will be beneficial if Spieth's in the hunt late Sunday.

Can Holmes or Lowry close?

J.B. Holmes and Shane Lowry find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they share the 36-hole lead at Royal Portrush. Though both have finished near the top of previous major leaderboards and collected wins on the PGA Tour, neither has a coveted major title on his resume.

Lowry, who hails from Ireland, will have local support on the weekend. He's thrived in that scenario through two days, but it will be an entirely different type of pressure Saturday as he tries to pull away from the field.

Holmes is listed at 16-1 in the betting market and isn't considered a favorite despite his share of the lead. He won the Genesis Open earlier this season, holding off the likes of Justin Thomas and McIlroy to do so.

Both leaders will be in desperate need of a quick start Saturday morning, as they'll probably find themselves trailing to start the day. If they fail to quickly recover their 36-hole edge, their major championship hopes will likely come to an end.

Will Westwood make history?

Major championships have eluded Lee Westwood his entire career. Now, in his 82nd major start, the 46-year-old is only one shot off the lead and in an ideal position to make history with his first major victory.

Westwood has the opportunity to remove himself from the conversation of best player without a major. A victory Sunday would also erase his distinction as one of two players to reach No. 1 in the world rankings without winning a major (the other being Luke Donald). If he manages to hoist the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush, he'll become the oldest first-time major winner in the history of golf.

Now that is something worth rooting for.