Selected others: -3: Adam Scott (Aus), Rickie Fowler (US); -2: Justin Rose (Eng), Stephen Gallagher (Sco), Darren Clarke (NI), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Charl Schwartzel (SA);

-1: Jordan Spieth (US); Par: Phil Mickelson (US), Jason Dufner (US), Shane Lowry (Ire), Tiger Woods (US); +1: Henrik Stenson (Swe) Ian Poulter (Eng); +2 Luke Donald (Eng)

Official Open leaderboard, external; Clubhouse scores; Tee times

Molinari might not be out in front for much longer, he's just dragged his tee shot at seven into a bush and will have to reload...

A tip of the hat to Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who is surging down the back nine. The 21-year-old clocked up four straight birdies to move to four over par with two holes left but a par on the 17th means he looks set to miss the cut.

As @neilbrooks12 points out, Dunne went to Blackrock College, which also produced Ireland rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll.

Jason Day, Australia's perennial major contender, has carded another 73 and is two over for the week. Woods pulls out a good recovery at the third and should finally make par. Furyk for a birdie on five, makes it disappear from six feet to get to four under.

Rory off the tee at the second and he's creamed another one. American Bill Haas birdied the last for a level-par 72 and two under overall, four off the lead. F Molinari remains six under after tapping in for par at six, Darren Clarke just misses with an eagle attempt at five but taps in for birdie to get to two under.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

Image source, AFP

"Huge encouragement for Rory McIlroy as he leaves the sanctity of the cordoned-off putting green and strides across the third fairway, over the footbridge and into the arena around the first tee. Every combination you can think of for 'Come on/you can do it/go get 'em, Rory/Rors/Rory lad/McIlroy'.

"Imagine the frenzy if he is leading at the same time on Sunday. Can't be easy as a 25-year-old to protect yourself from all that, but you suppose these guys are inured to it.

"Still, he gives it a mighty swipe down the first. Playing partners Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth, with a touch of the tennis player about him - ie pointing for the towel after a practice swing - follow and the main course of the day is served. Another Freaky Friday for McIlroy? Or will the easing wind hand him the lead on a plate?"

The projected cut currently stands at two over par, meaning that Paul Casey (+3 through three holes) and English amateur Ashley Chesters (four over through seven) have some work to do.

Among those in the clubhouse hoping for some high winds and high scores are Lee Westwood (+3), Bubba Watson (+4) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (+4).

Official Open leaderboard, external; Clubhouse scores; Tee times

Woods on the 426-yard third and this time he cuts one down the middle with an iron. Francesco Molinari chipping on at seven and he leaves himself with a four-footer for par. Brother Edoardo has dropped another at eight, is now four off the lead. Garcia at the par-five fifth and he's absolutely roasted his tee shot, finishing in some fluff to the right. Donald has taken a provisional...

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Mickelson on BBC Two after a two-under par round of 70 to take him to level par for the championship: "I played really, really well but let a few critical shots slide, that has ultimately cost me. I fought hard and tee to green was striking the ball better than I have for over a year.

"Now, with the weather coming in tomorrow, I fancy my chances. I will probably be six or seven shots back but you never know what will happen.

"I will have to shoot a low round in tough conditions but I really enjoy the challenge. It is the best feeling to have won this tournament and playing it as a past champion. Knowing I have already won it takes a lot of of pressure off. The way the people treat past champions here is incredible."

Fowler with a birdie at four, gets back to three under, Garcia makes that par putt, stays four under. Denmark's Thomas Bjorn birdies the fifth and is in that big group at three under, three off the lead. McIlroy lets a shot go at the first, leaving Francesco Molinari out in front on his own...

The new slim-line Darren Clarke, winner in 2011, birdies four and is back in the red. McIlroy with his approach at two... flies it through the back, bit of adrenalin coursing through those forearms. Garcia leaves himself a knee-knocker for par at four, Woods leaves his par putt left of the cup at two, drops back to level par. Shot gone for Manassero at six, which leaves McIlroy and F Molinari in a two-way tie for the lead.

Image source, Getty Images

Rhys Enoch finished yesterday as the best-scoring Welshman with one over par but his round has been a bit more extreme today. Dropping to four over at the turn, he holed his second shot for an eagle at the 11th, only to pick up a treble bogey on the 12th.

Joint leader Francesco Molinari at seven, taking a small wood... sweeps one down the fairway. Fowler from muck on four... shot of the day, maybe, somehow manages to bring it to heel a few feet from the pin. Garcia in similar territory, and that's pretty decent as well.

Frank Nobilo
Former European Tour golfer and BBC analyst

Image source, Getty Images

"Tiger Woods played in the still of the conditions yesterday. It's exactly what he needed after 127 days out with a back injury. He remains one of the few players out there who can change his game on the fly to adapt to differing conditions. You expect all of them to be able to, but they can't do it like he does."

Manassero with a sniff at the fifth, squeezes it in to regain a share of the lead. Woods gets a flyer through the second, it's all a bit clown's car at the moment for the main man. Here's young Jordan Spieth, the 20-year-old great new hope from the States who tied second at the Masters this year... bombs it down there on the first, but about 30 yards behind Rory...

Image source, PA

England's Justin Rose is in with a two-under 70 for two under overall, right in the mix heading into the weekend. Scott finishes birdie-birdie for a 73 and -3 overall. Overnight leader Rory McIlroy is out in a bit, and he'll be wanting to put behind him this troubling trend of tearing it up on day one and stumbling on day two. Sergio, Sergio... Three putts at the third, back to four under.

Selected others: -3: Adam Scott (Aus), Tiger Woods (US); -2: Justin Rose (Eng), Stephen Gallagher (Sco), Rickie Fowler (US);

-1: Charl Schwartzel (SA), Jordan Spieth (US), Tiger Woods (US), Darren Clarke (NI); Par: Henrik Stenson (Swe), Phil Mickelson (US), Jason Dufner (US), Shane Lowry (Ire); +1: Ian Poulter (Eng); +2 Luke Donald (Eng)

Selected tee times: 14:27: Rory McIlroy (NI); 14:38: Ian Poulter (Eng); 14:49: Graeme McDowell (NI)

Official Open leaderboard, external; Clubhouse scores; Tee times

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"While Woods is on the first tee for his introduction a huge roar rings out on the adjacent second fairway. Word filters across Sergio Garcia has holed his second shot. A neat little juxtaposition given how Woods batted down the lemon-clad Spaniard on the final day at Hoylake eight years ago.

"Woods's red-capped security detail scurry forward to secure the perimeter. "Come on, Tiger lad" rings out in broad scouse."