Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent at Hoylake

"It's been fascinating to see the way Hoylake has been playing today. Going forward, if the wind dies down, there's a wonderful opportunity for Rory McIlroy. If the wind strengthens he's going to be up against it.

"I think any player around the level par mark by the close of play will think they've got a great chance to win."

Frank Nobilo
Former European Tour golfer on BBC analyst

Image source, PA

"It's not the players that have impressed me this morning, it's the golf course. These guys are not used to giving in to anything, but right now the course is giving them a little more than they were expecting. The conditions are fair and its playing well, but a few are still trying to out-muscle it and overpower it.

"It's a great test today and it's as much about character as golfing ability. If the forecast holds and the breeze does quieten down, then things will get significantly easier, which is a huge opportunity for everyone playing this afternoon."

The PGA Tour tweets:, external Only two players are in the clubhouse with under-par rounds so far. George Coetzee (tied second) and D.A. Points (tied 42nd) both shot 69 on round two.

Justin Rose eagles the 10th to move to two under. A huge cheer as he sinks a long putt to put himself very much back in the frame. That's three shots made up in two holes for Rose now and he is on a roll.

BBC Radio 5 live

Ashley Chesters, the 24-year-old amateur from Shropshire, is currently the leading Englishman after a two-under-par 70 in round one.

His father Nigel, speaking to Radio 5 Live's Clare Balding, thinks his son's ice-cool demeanour might just mean a repeat of his first-round heroics: "He's a very grounded lad. Yesterday was major and he was concerned about his tee shot on the first, but he had a very relaxing day."

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"Proper links feel to this 11th hole, the green nestling in a little dingly dell between dunes. Fans munch packed lunches amid the wispy grass and Mickelson, trousers flapping in the breeze, pauses over his putt as a church bell tolls from just over the hedge. Sandwiches are downed to cheer good putts from Watson and Els, before the players and their entourage head off on their merry way, and the munching and crackling of wrappers resumes."

BBC Sport's Ken Brown will be answering your golfing questions on the BBC Sport Twitter page at 12:45 BST - send them in using #kenonthecourse

If you've not seen Ken do his thing, have a look at his analysis of the 'demanding' par-four 17th hole, which is primed to have a say in the result on Sunday.

Here's an early taster of some questions, this one looking way ahead to the Ryder Cup in September:

Mike Williams on Twitter:, external Would you pick Colin Montgomerie as a wildcard for Gleneagles?

Not a bad call, given the European Ryder Cup stalwart's form of late with two Senior major titles in 2014.

Birdie for Bubba. His putter is working today as his fourth of the day on 11 moves him to one over and seven shots adrift of Rory McIlroy's lead. He won't think himself out of this yet.

Hit it! Phil Mickelson sees a good birdie chance slip away on 10 as he stays at one over. You get the feeling something is about to happen, but he can't wait too long.

Bernard Gallacher
Three-time European Ryder Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think he goes at it a little bit too quickly. No practice swings."

Adam Scott, world number one and +1 in round two, missed a makeable birdie putt at the par-three ninth.

Ben Clarkson:, external I've got carpet from Burnden Park's players' lounge, my auntie worked there and got it when it closed!

Andrew Cropper:, external I have, packed away somewhere, a piece of Luton Town's old artificial pitch after it was ripped up and replaced by grass.

Ernie Els struck a spectator with his ball yesterday and gave him tickets to the weekend's play. We wondered if you have ever been hit by anything at a sporting event or landed a cool memento? Tweet #mysportingmemento.

Well done George. South African Coetzee ends his round on a high with a birdie on 18 to move to five under. The 28-year-old will be happy with his two-under par round of 69 but, with two dropped shots in the last three, it could have been so much better.

Still, the clubhouse lead for Coetzee and a target to shoot at.

Image source, PA

Wow. Are you sure John? Big John Daly shows his wild side with some quite startling trousers. He certainly needs some inspiration at five over for the championship, although he is even for the first six holes today.

Image source, Reuters

Lee Westwood, what would a hot putter be worth to you?

The Englishman, so often in contention before falling short, three putts on eight and makes double-bogey. It is a grim day for Westy so far and at three over, he has lost four shots in eight holes. His chances seemingly evaporating.

With the cut a moveable feast for the coming hours, one or two players will be looking over their shoulders but some gave up the fight a long time ago.

The likes of Ernie Els (+9), Paul Lawrie (+7) and (pictured below) Miguel Angel Jimenez (+6) will be going home barring a stunning turnaround.

Image source, AP

The projected cut is currently at two over, though that could creep up if the wind continues to whip as it is.

"I can't see it being more than plus four," says former Europe Ryder Cup captain Mark James.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"It's a day for hard toil at Hoylake, sunny now, but with some real bullets of breeze blowing across the course from the south east towards the Dee Estuary.

"Martin Kaymer, who ran away with the US Open last month, is one who is finding it tough after a double bogey via the gorse on seven and more tangles on 10.

"Caddie Craig Connelly is earning his corn as the pair try to keep the wolf at the door. Royal Liverpool is fighting back."

Brilliant save from Phil Mickelson as he saves par on 10, despite finding the bushes with his tee shot. Bubba Watson moves to two over with a birdie on 10.

Peter Alliss
BBC Sport commentator

"Isn't this game extraordinary. That was a beautifully played chip from Justin Rose. You never know what is going to happen in this sport."