If this were the Ryder Cup we'd be in trouble. Four of the top five on the leaderboard are from the US.

Our best placed Briton is Welshman Jamie Donaldson - tied for sixth on two under.

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Yes that's right. Bubba has the driver warmed up. It's an insane drive and the group up on the green all stand and watch as his ball rolls past the flag.

Rory McIlroy is through the green with his second shot and chips close with his third, another par.

Back to Bubba for eagle now, tentative and wide. It's birdie only.

Oh stop it Rickie Fowler. You're not going to stun us all this week are you and land a first major? We were told you were poorly this week?

A chip in on three gets him under par. And next, I bring you big-hitting news from the third. It's big.

And while we don't have live TV pictures any more, we will bring you two hours of highlights later on BBC Two and online.

I bring you some frustrating news for fans of anything English. The young amateur Scott Gregory has just carded a seven. That wipes out three blows and takes him back to one under after 11 holes.

If you are just joining us it's a story of low scoring at a calm and tranquil Troon (rain coming tomorrow).

We have joint leaders in American's Justin Thomas and Patrick Reed - neither have dropped a shot and both are on five under through eight.

Players are showing signs of steaming a low number, Jimmy Walker - another American - the latest to reach three under through five.

Colin Montgomerie recovered from a terrible start to briefly lead but he's back to one under now at the 16th.

So that's you up to date. The back nine holes are where it gets tough.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Golf correspondent Iain Carter and co are now live from the course as they start a marathon stint of commentary.

You can follow that by clicking on the link at the top of the page or by clicking on the 5 live golf page

A cracking four from Bubba Watson given how bad his tee shot was. Hideki Matsuyama completes his up and down. Now to Rory McIlroy... job done.

It is sand central on the second hole.

Bubba Watson drove into the stuff, chipped out, his third leaves 15ft for par.

Rory McIlroy pumps his second into a pot bunker. Hideki Matsuyama comes up short of a bunker but his ball trickles in and he knows it as the crowd let out a huge "ooohhh".

Can these two hopefuls escape. They do, McIlroy again shows good touch to leave a tap-in par, Matsuyama has a bit more to do from around 10ft.

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Scott Gregory is a 21-year-old English amateur. He recently won the 2016 Amateur Championship and his Open appearance today is his first in a Major. 

He is currently tied for second and is just one behind the leaders. Go on Scott! 

You can read more about him here.

Did you know you get £15,000 for finishing 70th at The Open? That by my reckoning would buy you a swanky holiday to Dubai, a posh watch, some good meals out and some new tees.

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Yikes, Bubba Watson trickles into a fairway bunker on two. How will he play that as it's tight to the face.

Patrick Reed joins compatriot Justin Thomas at the top of the leaderboard with a fine putt on seven. That's three in a row for him. He's approaching the turn with some momentum.

Bubba Watson - a man now not hyped to the extent he was a few years ago since the triple threat of McIlroy, Day and Spieth broke away. 

How dare we forget him. The world number five starts life in Troon with a birdie. A fine putt from 12ft or so. Hideki Matsuyama, a man who many think can push Japanese golf on a level, also builds on a fine approach to tap in for birdie.

McIlroy makes his par.

Rory McIlroy has said a few controversial things this week and it's not getting much easier for him on this first hole as he chips from the rough into a pot bunker. His escape is very good though as he sweeps the sand to land his ball within four feet.

Colin Montgomerie is slowly giving back his early scores. A bogey on 14 again underlines how tricky the back nine plays.

Watch as Ken Brown explains how prevailing wind makes things a little tricky on the way in.

Two time Open Champion Padraig Harrington has written an interesting diary. His preparation for trying to clinch a third Claret Jug was interrupted in unusual circumstances on Tuesday. Read all about here., external

Harrington is one under through five.

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Philip Meachin: I'd love to see Rickie Fowler win but I've got my money on Chris Wood. Loves the Open and is playing the best of his career so far  

Gavin Lyons: Oosthuizen and Rose to have a good Open I feel. Rafa Cabrera-Bello as my outside tip!  

Tweet us your thoughts at #bbcgolf on who you think will win, whose caught your eye at this early stage or maybe just tell us how much you love this great tournament.  

We have seen Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and now Danny Willett miss birdie putts on one. Willett stands upright off his putt, it's a frustrated look. It was around 10ft and a chance.

Image source, AP

Rory McIlroy, who was unable to defend his title in 2015 due to injury, has finished third, fourth and first in three of his last four events, but missed the cut in the other (the US Open at Oakmont).

"I guess it's the start of a new chapter for me in the Open championship," said McIlroy. 

"It was very disappointing to miss last year but I'm determined not to miss any more for the foreseeable future and it's great to be back and have another chance to win another Claret Jug."

Rory McIlroy bucks the trend and goes with a black and grey outfit. He missed the white pants memo it seems. He is taking driver on the first, a hole where many players are hitting mid-irons. Risk-reward, that's what makes golf tick and this one packs too much risk as Rory smashes into the rough.

Bubba Watson has his pink driver out, get ready, duck if you're anywhere in the UK as this can land pretty much wherever... he whips it off the tee and follows McIlroy into the thick stuff.

The first hole provides an early slap in the face.