It is 20 years ago, almost to the day, that a 16-year-old Rory McIlroy breezed round Royal Portrush - venue for this week's 153rd Open Championship - in 61 shots to set a new course record.

Aaron O'Callaghan was one of McIlroy's playing partners that day.

I remember him hitting a nice shot in and Stevie turned to me and said 'Rors has got it going today' and, to be honest, I'd hardly noticed," O'Callaghan said.

"I knew he was playing well, but I didn't realise he was five under.

"From about then I stopped thinking about my game and started looking at what he was doing."

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Rory McIlroy nails a straightforward putt at the seventh to go two-under par. The crowd are roaring him on with real gusto.

It looks like the weather is rolling in again at Royal Portrush.

He might not have hit many fairways today but Scottie Scheffler knows his way around an iron.

Back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 have put him in prime position.

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Scottie Scheffler has been speaking after his round of three under left him one off the lead. He was asked for further detail on his comments earlier this week about sometime wondering "what is the point" of success at golf.

"This week I'm trying to play good enough to win the golf tournament. I think I've made that pretty clear over the course of my career," he said.

"I think I try to be as honest as I can with you all, with the stuff that I'm willing to say. At times, I feel like maybe I should be a little less honest. Maybe I shouldn't have said the stuff I said because now I'm going to get asked about it more.

"But really it's just a matter of perspective, and I've had some players come up to me and say that they feel and think the same things.

"If anybody has disagreed with me, they haven't said it to my face yet, so I don't know what the reaction would be. But overall I'm just glad to be out playing golf and competing again."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Royal Portrush

Portrush was ready to erupt as McIlroy's approach neared the pin on seven. He's had a few errant shots today but he's scoring well, which is precisely what he didn't do in 2019.

In more troubling news, it's a lot darker out here now. The rain cometh...

Oliver Wilson
Former Ryder Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Live at Portrush

Phenomenal shot, came so soft out of that rough there McIlroy.

A few brollies coming out again as Rory McIlroy strides purposefully toward the green at the seventh hole.

Moments ago the US Masters champion effortlessly brought it out of the rough and then nearly pulled off a magic eagle with his approach shot.

Bryson DeChambeau is first out with the putter on the eighth - about 20 feet for a birdie and he's hit that about four feet past.

Justin Rose from a bit closer in, on a similar line, doesn't start his putt on the right line. Par.

Bob Mac for another birdie? Four feet... nailed. The cheers ring out again.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Royal Portrush

Image source, BBC Sport

All eyes on McIlroy...even if you're not actually out on the course.

With two big screens and the sun now out to play, the spectator village seems to be the place to be.

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Rory McIlroy drags his tee shot off to the left again and into the rough. He's done that in four of the six holes so far today. For those who have watched him down the years it's a familiar issue, so the curse words which follow from the Northern Irishman are inevitable.

Bob MacIntyre takes aim with a wedge from the eighth fairway. Bit of a breeze into his face and that helps him. His ball plummets into the green and holds, no more than four feet from the hole.

Justin Rose follows his Ryder Cup team-mate in and will have a dozen feet for birdie.

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Something for Ludvig Aberg to smile about after a slow start - a birdie on the par-five seventh.

He's over the back of the green in two, but chips back to within five feet and knocks in the putt for a four.

Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth make pars.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport senior journalist at Royal Portrush

It's currently sunny out on the links but an amber weather warning has just been issued.

As Manchester band I Am Kloot once sang... 'is there a storm coming?'

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Rory McIlroy seems fairly relaxed on the seventh tee. He's making small talk, laughing and joking while he, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood patiently wait for the group in front to finish the hole.

A tap-in birdie for Scotsman Bob MacIntyre is welcomed with a ripple of applause on the seventh green.

Justin Rose and Bryson DeChambeau take two putts and sign for level-par fives. It's the longest hole on the course at 608 yards but with a downhill tee shot and helping wind, that will feel like an opportunity lost.

Catriona Matthew
Captain of Team Europe at the 2019 & 2021 Solheim Cup on BBC Radio 5 Live

That knee bend is always an indication – close… but not going in.

A second straight bogey for England's Aaron Rai having briefly tied the lead at the eighth hole.

Now through 10, he's dropped back to two under par, but still having himself a very tidy round.

Sadom Kaewkanjana's work for the day is done - and what a day it's been for the man from Thailand.

A safe par on the 18th means he makes it round in 68 and he is currently one shot off the leading group.

Ah... Justin Rose's ball disappeared from view and didn't end up on the dune, but it is in the sand. He flicks his ball out and ends up 20 feet from the hole on the seventh.

Bryson DeChambeau from the rough goes straight at the flag but there is no grip to be had and his ball trundles to the back edge.

Bob MacIntyre's ball crept on to the front edge of the green and he rattles his eagle putt towards the hole. A bend of the knees indicates it's close but not dropping.