So, as we witness the pros and cons of the Postage Stamp all in one grouping, here's a little history...

It is 138 years old and 123 yards long, the shortest hole in Open Championship golf and yet one of the most beloved, unless you happen to be the hapless German amateur, Hermann Tissies, who took five to get out of a greenside bunker on his way to a 15 in The Open of 1950.

Years later, a young superstar was going nicely in the final round of the Open when he fetched-up at the famous eighth hole. 

Six shots later, Tiger Woods' challenge was done.

Read more from Tom English's feature on the Postage Stamp.

Image source, AP

We found this somewhat atmospheric image of our outright leader Justin Thomas.

Image source, Getty Images

Moody stuff I think you'll agree. And Justin seems moody off the tee box today, taking his anger out on the ball to average 303 yards off the tee. That's the biggest average, Branden Grace second on 301.

Bunker problems? Not for Justin Thomas it seems. Admire his chip-in from the sand on the 11th.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Royal Troon

Bubba's stay atop the leaderboard is brief and brutal. It wasn't so much his bunker escape at the Postage Stamp that killed him but rather his scruffy third. As he emerges from a wee break, never has the term 'comfort break' seemed so apt.

As Bubba Watson faces self-destruction, Rory McIlroy lands a third successive birdie.

No such Postage Stamp problems for the Northern Irishman as his tee shot leaves him with a short putt to put extra pressure on the leaders.

McIlroy is currently one shot off the top.

Image source, Getty Images

Yes us mere mortals might not be good enough to play at The Open, but we still have our moments on the golf course right?

Well now it's time to show off. What age was your first hole-in-one and where was it at? Or if unlike all of us in the office you haven't been lucky enough to get one, have you ever chipped in from a bunker?

We know there's probably a fair few of you following our amazing live text in the office, so feel free to send us photos of you practising your putts or swing at work.

Rory McIlroy is on the eighth, named Postage Stamp.

Research tells us it would take 81,290 postage stamps to cover the green. Who on earth worked that out?

Image source, Getty Images

The stamp lovers among you will spot this image is of a Penny Black - the world's first ever stamp.

The golf lovers will be more interested to know that this hole is the easiest on the course for members of this famous course - stroke index 18.

Bubba Watson has experienced all sorts of problems at the Postage Stamp eighth hole.

Watson finds the bunker from the tee and chips out of the sand, over the back of the pin.

The American then sees his next chip shot rolling back down the slope before, finally, he makes it onto the green.

However it is three shots wiped off a promising start for Watson, who settles for a traumatic triple bogey.

Patrick Reed drops a stroke on the 13th.

His approach shot fizzes off the turf and away down the other side of the green.

Reed doesn't quite get the return right either, leaving the American with a difficult par putt that he is unable to take.

Meanwhile, compatriot Justin Thomas saves par on the 14th to hold onto the lead alongside Bubba Watson.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Royal Troon

I've joined the McIlroy-Watson-Matsuyama three ring circus on the seventh and if you're wondering where everyone else is at Troon, they're with me. 

Claustrophobic doesn’t do the tee box justice, it must be like trying to perform on a microscope slide. Great birdie putt from McIlroy after an iffy chip, off to the Postage Stamp we yomp...

Image source, PA

It's back-to-back birdies for Rory McIlroy as the Northern Irishman moves to the three under par with seven holes played.

Danny Willett meanwhile leaves a birdie putt on the eighth agonisingly short, but also remains two shots off the lead.

Image source, Getty Images

Colin Montgomerie is the clubhouse leader at even par and has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live.

"The first shot was ok, but the second and third weren’t as good. The best shot of the day was definitely my fourth shot to get out of the bunker.

"I was more nervous than I thought I would be, playing at my childhood club where my Father was the secretary. I wanted to do the R&A proud as they bestowed on me the honour of playing the first tee shot."

Listen to live coverage of The Open here.

Englishman David Coupland has a spot at this year's Open for the first time since he played as an amateur at Carnoustie in 2007, and he's just got under way.

Here's what the world number 962 had to say on making it to Royal Troon...

"I’m so thrilled to play such a great tournament again,"  Coupland told his official website., external

"I nearly didn't enter The Open qualifying this year but I did at the last minute and my dream came true. I qualified at Hillside. Five of us were tied second but I birdied the second extra hole to grab the second qualifying spot."  

No sooner does Reed establish a lead, it is swallowed up by compatriots Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson.

Besides Ross Fisher, Danny Willett is also lurking with intent as an English threat to top spot - three birdies in his first seven holes has the 28-year-old on three under through seven.

But it's all about that back nine...

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Royal Troon

What a difference a year makes. From the Somme conditions of St Andrews to the glory of Troon. If you could choose perfect golfing conditions, this wouldn't be far off. Sun shining, magnificent views across the Firth of Clyde and a wind light enough that you'd have little problem lighting a fag.

Bubba Watson joins Patrick Reed on five-under after a solid two putt on the sixth for a birdie.

Patrick Reed takes his first birdie on the back nine to edge out into the lead again on five under through 12.

It was an all-American chasing pack, but we now have an Englishman on the hunt in Ross Fisher.

The 35-year-old landed successive birdies on the sixth and seventh to fling himself into contention at four under par.

Image source, Getty Images

He has been the talk of the tournament but Rory McIlroy has started quietly in his quest to win a second Claret Jug.

The 27-year-old has just sneaked in a birdie on the par five sixth to go to two-under par.

Good scoring so far but perhaps the winner will come from one of these groups...

The US Open champion and world number two Dustin Johnson is strongly fancied but what are the odds on last year's winner Dustin Johnson defending his title?

Perhaps it's Westwood's time to claim his first major... 

13:26: Phil Mickelson (US), Lee Westwood (Eng), Ernie Els (SA)

14:04: Dustin Johnson (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Russell Knox (Sco)

14:15: Zach Johnson (US), Adam Scott (Aus), Henrik Stenson (Swe)

14:48: Anirban Lahiri (Ind), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Keegan Bradley (US)  

We mentioned Rickie Fowler was on fire and here is the proof. Watch his chip-in on the third.