Mark Chapman
BBC Sport presenter

The conditions are currently lovely, with blues skies and sunshine, certainly by the 18th fairway. It's a long way from the bad weather of earlier.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

Just been chatting to the steward who has to escort DJ round all weekend. Not a bad gig.

He got a taste of fellow American Brooks Koepka’s dry sense of humour earlier in the week too when the pals were out practising together - the world number one teased him for suggesting it was his ball that had been found in the deep rough.

Tommy Fleetwood hasn’t done anything spectacular so far, but he’s yet to drop a shot and is only two off the lead so it's all good.

He’s got a chance to go a step closer on the par-four eighth. The Englishman's birdie putt swings left, though. Par.

Image source, PA Media

Birdie on the first?

Yes please says Justin Rose.

Dustin Johnson - the world number two, who finished in a share of second at the 2011 Open - lashes his tee shot down the middle to a whoop and a 'Go DJ!' from the gallery.

He is playing alongside compatriot Keegan Bradley and Aussie Jason Day, who are also safe and sound.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

You can tell something is brewing down by the first tee. The crowd sense a Tiger lurking somewhere beneath the grandstand...

David Leadbetter
Leading golf coach on BBC Radio 5 live

It was a real junior golfer type of mental mistake by Rory McIlroy.

Justin Rose’s tee shot on the first went straight down the middle and he plays a beauty of a second shot. It bounces and stops just above the hole to the left. Could be an early birdie for the Englishman.

Iain Carter
BBC Sport golf correspondent at Royal Portrush

That to me suggests Rory McIlroy is not handling it. He tried to knock in that putt from inches as he has done thousands of times before.

There are vast crowds around this 16th green willing him on but he is not handling the pressure. That is a savage blow for him. That was a four-putt double bogey.

Image source, PA Media

Marc Leishman is heading the wrong way at a worrying rate of knots.

The Australian has picked up another bogey at five.

Not for the first time today the 16th - named Calamity Corner - lives up to its name.

The victim - Rory McIlroy.

The process - a par putt from six feet misses. The tap in from less than a foot lips out. Careless and his grind in getting from five over to three over is undone in a matter of seconds.

Back to five over. Awful.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Royal Portrush

Image source, BBC Sport

Before The Open landed in Portrush this week, the main attraction drawing punters to the County Antrim coast was the Giant’s Causeway, nestled just a few miles down the shore.

Tiger Woods said he was taking Wednesday off to “have a look around” although it’s unconfirmed whether he made it to this stunning natural beauty spot.

One story goes that Irish giant Fionn was challenged to a fight by Scottish counterpart Benandonner and lay down the causeway so they could meet...

There are similar volcanic formations at Fingal’s Cave on the Scottish isle of Staffa, so who knows?!

Graeme McDowell has come straight out to face up to the press after shipping four shots in his closing two holes. Rob Nothman also hung around to ask the questions for BBC Radio 5 Live...

On his triple-bogey seven on the last hole, he said: "It happens to amateur players every day. As a tour player we don't lose many balls. It's just golf. Did I do a whole lot wrong? No.

"I've got to take positives. I played beautifully and if the putter had worked I'd have been four/five under playing the last.

I enjoyed today a lot. It was a great atmosphere out there and I cant let the way I finished spoil it."

A second birdie of the day for Tommy Fleetwood!

He's pootling along nicely, as my mum would say. The Englishman had a wayward second shot but recovers well to go -2.

Justin Rose steps out onto the first tee with a big smile on his face. Probably glad he's missed that rainstorm.

The world number four will be playing with Tony Finau and Lucas Bjerregaard.

Jordan Spieth is finding the creative answers around the greens.

A clever bit of bump and roll sets up a 12-foot birdie shot and his speedy putt sinks.

Three under through five and starting strong.

Image source, PA Media

Ouch!published at 14:45 British Summer Time 18 July 2019

14:45 BST 18 July 2019

Woodland +2 (15)

Gary Woodland arrows one into the crowd and that's clipped someone on the back.

I've been hit by a golf ball and I can tell you it leaves a mark!

Tommy Fleetwood's second shot landed to the left of the fairway on the seventh, a par five. Luckily for the Englishman, the ball fell nicely between the heaviest patches of rough and he took advantage of the decent lie to set himself up a birdie chance.

Well recovered, Tommy.

Francesco Molinari is in the rough to the right of the green on the par-three 16th. As per, the Italian is relaxed under pressure and his chip on sets him up nicely for the par putt.

Disaster averted, though the defending champion still isn’t having the best day.

Andrew Murray
BBC Radio 5 live reporter at Royal Portrush

If I was Rob Nothman (BBC Radio 5 Live's reporter talking to players post-round) I'd go for a spot of lunch right now and not ask Graeme McDowell for an interview.

I know Graeme and am a bit upset for him. He played so well but those last two holes means lunch will not taste too nice.