Tommy Fleetwood is riding this weather out. You don't grow up in Southport and not know how to play through a seaside shower.

His approach lands within birdie range, but he two-putts for a par.

Thorbjorn Olesen is doing even better. He chips on for an easy birdie putt on the par-five second.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Royal Portrush

A biblical-like rain storm has just landed on Portrush. People are diving under umbrellas but there is not much shelter on a links course.

It's hammering down now, you can hear the water thumping against the brollies.

An extra drink in the clubhouse would look tempting over your tee time I'd imagine.

Here's Sergio Garcia, talking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I keep trying to put myself in contention.

"At the moment the rain is getting a little uncomfortable, so I'm glad we're done.

"I've always loved the Open Championship. It's my favourite tournament of the year. the way it plays, the crowds, and even the weather. As a European, The Open is the one you always think of.

"This is a really nice venue and I think The Open is going to keep coming back here more frequently."

On the first tee, a tasty little grouping.

Jordan Spieth, a winner at Royal Birkdale two years ago, alongside 2016 Masters main man Danny Willett.

Keeping them company is Australian Marc Leishman, who has top-six finishes in three of the last five Opens.

Graeme McDowell rips his second out of the semi-rough on 15 and that looks pretty good, hopping like a newborn wallaby on its way up to the edge of the green,

Brooks Koepka has a birdie look from the edge of the first green but it's not close. Wind gusting, damp, welcome to The Open. Gary Woodland stands and points right, his ball is in trouble on 11.

The gents at the top of this leaderboard look good as conditions to my eye are getting worse.

Rory McIlroy comes up short on the same hole as Woodland and the Northern Irishman is now in waterproofs. Very wise. Pass him a snorkel.

It is absolutely sheeting down down in Portrush. The big brollies are popping open all around the course.

And it is getting darker as the clouds loom overhead.

Iain Carter
BBC Sport golf correspondent at Royal Portrush

I'm watching Rory McIlroy as the rain starts to come down sideways at Portrush

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

I’m glad someone is as excited about the Royal Portrush tunnel as I am - earlier, Paul Casey turned to his caddie as we were about to be ushered through and said with a child-like smile: “We get to take the tunnel again!”

On the return leg his wasn’t so jovial. Spending an age longingly looking at where his missed putt went wrong.

Graeme McDowell keeps chipping away at his scorecard, like a master sculpter perfecting his latest piece.

A birdie on 14th takes him to three under and a five-way share of third behind co-leaders Shane Lowry and Dylan Frittelli.

McDowell has had three birdies and 11 pars through 14. Not a bogey blemish in sight.

A good opening day for 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia.

He's finished second at The Open twice, might he go one further this year?

The Spaniard finishes the day tied for third.

Portrush had a sting in the tail for Webb Simpson.

The American came to the 17th tee with a one-shot lead over the rest. He departs 18 with one shot to make up on the leading pair after a second successive bogey.

Shane Lowry and Dylan Frittelli are the men at the top of the shop.

It's a confident putt from Tommy Fleetwood for his par.

Justin Thomas gets a bogey, Thorbjorn Olesen a par.

Image source, Getty Images

One thing that's notable today and bodes well for an exciting tournament is how players have seen their scores yo-yo.

Xander Schauffele was three under, now he's one over. Kevin Kisner makes a six on nine and is back to two under, Andrew Johnston was two under and it now two over, the list goes on.

Can Rory McIlroy come back from being five over? He has a birdie putt on 10 but starts it a little too left and it's par only.

Ouch. It was perfect play from Justin Thomas right up until the last shot.

He lips out and misses par on the first.

Webb Simpson's second on 18 is a little heavy-handed. But she should be able to tidy up his leftovers for at least a par finish.

Justin Thomas' second loops up into the air and lands bottom-right on the green. It’s a birdie chance, but not an easy one.

Tommy Fleetwood’s shot landed off the back of the first green and he stabs it to within easy range for a par.

Olesen came up short and had a long road for a birdie. It's a bit too long and he'll go for par.

Here comes Brooks... straight down the fairway on one.

Turn out the lights. This is all over.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

You can see the ninth green from quite a few spots on the course - the 11th grandstand, the 14th and the 10th - and you can bet everyone was watching when Rory rolled that putt in a moment ago. Huge cheers were followed by a clambering for rain jackets as the weather suddenly swooped in on Portrush once again.