It could have been much worse for Jordan Smith at six after his poor tee shot but he does drop a shot with a bogey.

Meanwhile, his playing partner Robert MacIntyre gets his first birdie of the day after five pars to start his round.

Grant Forrest is now six under for the day and five under for the tournament as he joins Smith in second for now.

The Scot had a chance for an eagle at 16 which he pushed wide but holed a nice birdie.

Playing so far ahead of the main groups, it is a quiet, serene round for him and he is taking advantage of that.

Folks.....we'll have TV highlights of this week's action this evening at 22:00 BST on BBC Two NI and the BBC iPlayer.

Stephen Watson presents highlights of the 2024 Irish Open from the magnificent setting of Royal County Down.

Watch it on the BBC iPlayer here

Image source, BBC Sport

Perhaps I jinxed him as Jordan Smith has sent his drive on six into the very deep grass on the right.

He takes his time with the second shot after asking the throng of spectators to move back and produces a good recovery shot but may struggle to save par.

McIlroy has his golf ball totally under control with the short irons so far as he fires another approach to about 25 feet at the fifth.

In contrast, Manassero is struggling after his brilliance of the opening three days. He's just pulled another iron shot left and while a good 'Texas wedge' means he should salvage par, the Italian's game is not quite there today - so far at least.

McIlroy nudges his putt holeside to notch another par while Manassero gets his four to stay four behind the leader.

Jordan Smith has become Rory McIlroy's closest challenger as a lovely approach shot at the fifth leaves him with a tap-in for a birdie.

He is two under for the day and has separated himself from the gang on four under that now includes Manassero.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

The conditions really couldn't be nicer out here and there isn't a spot to be had around the picturesque par-three fourth.

McIlroy had his gameface on early yesterday. Same story today. He has that strut going.

Image source, Getty Images

Sorry to repeat myself but this really couldn't be going any better for McIlroy as he's managed a solid par on statistically this week's toughest hole, the par-three fourth.

In contrast, Manassero has dropped another shot after a pulled tee shot left it impossible for him to get close with his chip.

McIlroy's advantage is now four clear as Manassero drops into a six-strong group on four under.

Image source, Inpho

Rasmus Hojgaard has joined that gaggle on four under with his first birdie of the day at the fifth.

He is playing to keep his card for next season to play alongside twin brother Nicolai. So far so good for the Dane.

Further down the board, American Jimmy Walker finished his afternoon on six under after a super 65.

However, that is still not enough for round of the day so far as that honour goes to Englishman Paul Waring who followed up back-to-back rounds of 75 with a seven under 64.

McIlroy's advantage is now three as he manages to get up and down from just off the green at the third and Manassero drops a shot after a poor chip left him with too much to do with the putt.

Dare I say it, but this is going swimmingly for Rory so far.

There are five players two shots behind Matteo Manassero on four under. That group includes English pair Jordan Smith and Daniel Brown, Spain's Adrian Otaegui, South Africa's Erik van Rooyen and Scotland's Grant Forrest.

The latter of those has had an excellent day today as he is on five under after 14 holes played.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

Earlier this week, McIlroy spoke about how RCD can't host an Open because it can't accommodate the massive crowds.

But this certainly feels like a major out here at the moment.

Image source, Bbc

McIlroy has had a few difficulties with his wedge play this season but he has just produced a magnificent approach on the second to set up a kick-in birdie.

Manassero played a fine shot to about about 18 feet but it looked positively mediocre in comparison's to the local hero's approach.

The Italian's putt slides by and there's two between the leaders.

McIlroy has produced a highly successful start in his quest for a second Irish Open title.

There is a four-way tie for third spot with England's Dan Brown having joined Otaegui, Van Rooyen and Jordan Smith on four under.

Image source, Inpho

McIlroy rolls up his 25-yard eagle putt to four and a bit feet and slots that in one for an opening birdie. Manassero responds in kind and there is still a stroke between them.

Spain's Adrian Otaegui, England's Jordan Smith and South Africa's Erik van Rooyen are sharing third place three strokes off the pace.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

Two minutes into the round and we've had our first "Rory, Rory" chant. Even compared to yesterday, there's loads of people here.

Brilliant atmosphere. We've already had a few groups of fans straying inside the ropes.

Rory McIlroy uses all of his power to gouge his 232-yard second shot onto the left edge of the green at the first. It's a huge eagle putt but that's still a good result from that position.

Manassero, meanwhile, is just off the back of the green with his second shot but in a good position to card an opening birdie.

MacIntyre has to settle for an opening par after missing the fairway with his opening tee shot. That will feel like a bogey on a hole that has given up many eagles this week.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Royal County Down

You couldn't ask for nicer conditions out here today. The strong gusts of yesterday have yet to make an appearance.

Expect birdies under these blue skies.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rory McIlroy gets a predictably huge cheer as he is introduced on the first tee.

The world number three's opening tee shot leaks right into the rough and it will be luck of the draw in terms of the lie. He has eagled the par-five opening hole in both the last two days.

Matteo Manassero, meanwhile, finds the fairway with a perfect tee shot.