Image source, Getty Images

Harris English is in the group behind Rory McIlroy and seems very content to be playing his own game.

He plonks his ball into the middle of the third green and two-putts for par.

That'll keep him one shot clear.

Now this will be irking Tyrrell Hatton. Drive to within 50 yards of the hole but take four more from there.

That's the risk-reward of the fifth. He can't go for the pin with his second given he's in a bit of rough and the hole location is back right, about three yards from out of bounds and a tumble down the cliff to White Rocks Beach.

He nudges his ball onto the green, but he's nearly 100 feet from the hole. Three putts later and he's dropping.

Image source, PA Media

All that praise for Rory McIlroy's magic putter earlier obviously jinxed it, although it's a tough ask to nail a 16 footer for par - so that's a shot gone and he's back where he started the day.

He could really do with settling down a bit though.

Viktor Hovland's run of birdies ends at three, although he gave himself a good look at another one at the fourth from about 12 feet.

When visitors come to the Emerald Isle what are some of the must dos?

They might visit the landmarks, try the cuisine, or have a pint of Guinness.

Well if you want to do the latter, you might find it difficult in Portrush.

Adrian Calvin, general manager at The Quays in the town doubled the pub's Guinness order for this week but it has already sold out.

"It's been far busier than I thought it was going to be."

Adrian needs to get a new Guinness order in to get him through the weekend - especially if Rory McIlroy or Shane Lowry can challenge.

Read more here.

Brian Harman has a 12-footer for birdie on the sixth to try to join Harris English at the leaderboard's summit.

Misses.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Royal Portrush

Tommy Fleetwood played with Shane Lowry on that Sunday in 2019, so he's no stranger to Portrush palaver.

And what about this for a start. Three birdies in a row for the Englishman.

He looked a bit sullen during the early stages yesterday. He's getting plenty of "come on Tommy!" shouts this morning.

It's all happening in this group, as Tommy Fleetwood is now officially on fire as he makes his third straight birdie to start the day.

Brilliant stuff from the Englishman so far.

Bryson DeChambeau and Bob MacIntyre both find the putting surface from the tee on the driveable par-four fifth.

The group ahead, who were on the green, stopped while those tee shots were being taken. Anything to try to speed play up a bit.

Somehow Justin Thomas doesn't get a birdie on the third as he ball pulls up perched on the precipice of the hole but with the power of a mountain goat clings on and refuses to drop.

Thomas waits around as long as he dares, even tries a magic spell or two, but that ball is not moving. He taps it in for a three.

Graeme Storm
Two-time European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

He's not missed a shot. He's hit every shot absolutely perfect.

Back at the second, Harris English has a birdie opportunity to seize the outright lead.

Drained.

He's out in front on his own.

Going to the golf? You’ll need feeding first. But if you’re visiting Portrush your fry won’t look the same as it does in Plymouth or Peterhead.

You’ll get fried soda bread and potato bread - both manna from heaven to help you carb load for your day. And don’t even think of asking for beans. They’re very controversial here.

Council man Jonny McCarron is the project manager for the Open. He’s delighted with how things have gone so far.

“It is wonderful to stand here and watch people streaming out of the train station and not just head to the course,” he says, watching people go into shops and cafes, and no doubt thinking of what he can have for his own breakfast after we let him go. Early-morning interviews are a sport in themselves.

All a welcome boost for the area’s economy.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

A banner in the crowd reads "Rory I flew from Toronto to see you"...doubt the holder expected to see McIlroy play a shot from that stance, mind you.

Oh dear, Rory McIlroy is a tad short on the par-three third and the ball just hangs up right on the edge of the bunker - he'd be better off in it!

He has an awkward one now of standing in the bunker and gripping his wedge halfway down liks a childs toy and then chipping it on. He makes nice contact but leaves a long par saver.

After a lost ball on seven Rasmus Hojgaard responds with a birdie on eight thanks to sticking his approach to 11 feet.

The Dane goes back into the joint lead.

Are we about to see Justin Rose drop his first shot of the 2025 Open?

Not this time! A tremendous chip from the front of the green comes to rest a few inches from the hole and it's a tap-in for par.

Bryson DeChambeau and Bob MacIntyre have long birdie chances but they end up matching Rose's par four.

Among all the Rory McIlroy drama, Tommy Fleetwood has made a fine birdie-birdie start after a four at the second hole - hitting the fairway then slightly long of the green but chipping and putting it in with ease.

Really solid start for the 2019 Open runner-up here.

Let Darren Clarke talk you through what Tyrrell has just tackled.

Like pretty much all the players, Tyrrell Hatton is taking on the green on one of Royal Portrush's finest holes. The downhill par-four fifth is playing 382 yards.

Hatton swipes his tee shot a little too far to the right though and he'll have a chip from the rough. But a good opportunity to move clear at the top of the leaderboard.