Young Matsuyama makes birdies at eight, nine and 10 to get to two under, and here's Luke Reddy for the next couple of hours, see you in a bit.

Former Open champion Darren Clarke talking on BBC One: "Today is a different day, a different wind direction and no-one has seen it before. Someone will have to play very well to stand a chance but Rory in this form is going to be very difficult to catch."

Clarke tees off at 13:50 BST on five under.

Sorry about that, Tiger Woods was playing the 17th, not the 18th as I said. He's one of only 12 players over par today, it's been a grind for the last three days. Shane Lowry should have another birdie at the third, but his ball has a look before taking fright and jumping out of the hole.

Image source, PA

Tom Watson, 64, spoke to BBC Sport after carding a four-under-par 68 to finish +1 for the tournament and had some advice for runaway leader Rory McIlroy, the 25-year-old who is seeking a first Claret Jug:

"The course is there for the taking but, as with all links courses, he needs to avoid the landmines."

Watson was particularly impressed by McIlroy's father Gerry's bold step of putting £400 at 500-1 on the then 15-year-old winning the Open before he was 26. The twice major champion turned 25 in May.

"That's beautiful, I like the confidence his father had when he was 15. That's a good story."

Watson will bow out of the Open championship next year at St Andrews but his love of links golf will seemingly never die.

"It's an honour to walk up there and especially at my age to get applause like that. I take it very seriously and I played very well today. Maybe that's a sign of things to come at Porthcawl next week for the British Senior Open."

Oda doesn't hit his birdie putt on 18 but that's a round of 67, with eight birdies and a triple on his card. There's a low one out there somewhere. Woods on 18, with a 15-footer for birdie - doesn't hit it and that's a round of 75 for +6 overall.

Fine recovery by Mickelson at five and he rams home a birdie to get to three under. Cabrera matching him blow for blow at the moment, he does the same. Offaly's Shane Lowry has birdied the second to get to four under, and currently tied for 19th place.

England's Justin Rose (-5) chatting with BBC Sport on the range: "There's always something to play for. I've played well, I just haven't had that hot run yet. I think there is a score out there today with the course being softer. I think you could shoot 64.

And how about Rory McIlroy's chances of winning a third major?

"With his power, if he can take care of the par fives out there today he can still make a lot of mistakes and win."

McIlroy eagled the par-five 16th and 18th yesterday to put daylight between himself and the rest.

Koumei Oda curls in another birdie on 17 and a birdie at the last would give him a 66. F Molinari makes a birdie at two and he's now four under, a mere 12 shots off the lead. Brendon Todd in with a 67 for -1 overall and the clubhouse lead.

Image source, AFP

BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker has tweeted:, external Think Tiger Woods should be cut a bit of slack. Easy to be critical, but he's only just returning from back surgery. Good that he came over!

Keegan Bradley about to hit away at the first and he clips one down there with an iron. He's playing with fellow American Chris Kirk, who carded a 68 yesterday and is on the verge of making the Ryder Cup team, despite this being his Open debut.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"Watching Tom Watson play up the 18th in what will be his penultimate Open (unless he wins at St Andrews next year in a fairytale even more unbelievable than if he had won at Turnberry in 2009).

"Generous and heartfelt reception for the 64-year-old five-time Open champion. The clapping starts before he even reaches the crosswalk before the green, and the gallery stands as one as he enters the U-shaped arena.

"Chuckles all around when his caddie can't get the flag out of the hole and has to kick it. Watson makes his par for a 68, only four off his age, and there are shouts of 'Captain Tom', 'We love you, Tom' and 'See you in St Andrews'. Watson does his wide-mouthed grin, raises his cap and strolls off, the oldest man to make cut at Open."

Sweden's Henrik Stenson finishing strong, he's birdied 10 to get to red figures. Mickelson birdies three to get to two under, Cabrera also picks up a shot to join him on that number. Woods stumbling along, he's four over for the day through 15.

Ken Brown
BBC Sport commentator

"What a round by Uncle Tom. A fantastic performance. He is still going strong at 64 and will be back next year."

We've been asking for memories of horror sporting collapses, and plenty have come in. Rory, if you're reading, look away now:

Henry Hitchen:, external Bradford Bulls 30-0 up at HT vs Wigan. 31-30 FT to Wigan in the Play-Offs.

Steven Humphrey:, external Charlton 7-6 Huddersfield, 1957. Huddersfield were winning 5-1 with 30 mins to go. Only pro side ever to score 6 & lose!

United Debate:, external McEnroe vs Lendl in the Roland Garros final following his fight with the camera man!

And one golf one, of course...

James Blake:, external Nick Faldo v Greg Norman. Final day Masters, Norman 6 ahead, loses by 5... Faldo 67 Norman 78.

Tom Watson's eagle putt on 18 stays just right but that'll be a four-under 68 and the clubhouse lead on one over. Of course, we'll see him at Gleneagles in September as skipper of the US team. Francesco Molinari and George Coetzee make birds at the first...

Mickelson from about 20 feet, for three at the third... shaves the cup left, makes par. Bjorn gets back to two under courtesy of a birdie at 10, here's Tom Watson making his way to the 18th green - standing ovation, he's got a four for a 68 and the clubhouse lead on two over par.

Mickelson opened up with two pars and here's a runner onto the third, we haven't seen many of those this week. Italy's Francesco Molinari and George Coetzee of South Africa are safely away at the first. Cabrera with a sweet chip at the third, should make three straight pars.

Selected scores: -6: Adam Scott (Aus); -5: Darren Clarke (NI), Graeme McDowell (NI), Justin Rose (Eng); -4: David Howell (Eng). Stephen Gallacher (Sco); -1 Thomas Bjorn (Den), Phil Mickelson (USA); +1: Paul Casey (Eng); E: Luke Donald (Eng); +2: Tom Watson (USA); +6: Tiger Woods (USA); +7: Martin Kaymer (Ger)

Selected tee times: 13:40: Justin Rose (Eng), Graeme McDowell (NI); 13:50: Darren Clarke (NI), Charl Schwartzel (SA); 14:00 Jim Furyk (USA), Robert Karlsson (Swe); 14:10: Adam Scott (Aus), Matteo Manassero (Ita), 14:20 Edoardo Molinari (Ita), Victor Dubuisson (Fra), 14:30 Dustin Johnson (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spa), 14:40 Rickie Fowler (USA), Rory McIlroy (NI)

Full leaderboard, external and tee times.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Hoylake

"Waiting in the grandstand behind 18 for the arrival of Tom Watson, and for the photographers it's turning into a game of Escape from Colditz.

"The two marshals at the front of the stand are pacing up and down, slowly and deliberately at regular intervals. For the snappers in the back row, it's a case of timing the guards' movements and then going for it when they are out of sight and the frame is clear."

The wiry Englishman Chris Wood birdies 10 to get back into the red, he's -3 today. Brendon Todd! Pops in from off the green for an eagle at 16, he's five under today and -1 for the championship. Tom Watson on 18 and he whistles one down the middle, never been anything wrong with his long game.