A chorus of 'Come on Rory' shouts ring in McIlroy's ears as he lines up his drive on the 16th.

Whoosh! That's another ripper. Sails over the bunker and just rolls off the fairway to the left.

No such concern for Morikawa, who nails his drive on a heavenly line. Needs two pars from the final three holes to avoid an early exit.

Birdies for Hovland and Thomas at 14, but Lowry's putt slips by on the right.

One more birdie will put Hovland in a really strong position for the weekend. It'll be a big weekend for him, too - he's still to record a top-10 finish in a major.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at St Andrews

Ahh. A groan from those remaining in the stand next to the 15th green. That tells you all you need to know about Rory McIlroy’s attempt to salvage par.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Cameron Young, speaking to BBC Radio Five Live after carding 69 today to finish two behind Cameron Smith:

"I think I battled well today. I didn't quite make the putts I made yesterday -got off to a rocky start and missed some greens but I held myself together well. I was happy with the number I shot today. I think it was pretty tricky."

Did he look at the leader boards on the way round?

"You can't miss the leader boards - they are very big and very yellow. I always like to know where I'm at and they don't make me nervous. I like more information and that's usually good for me."

What is it like to be in the mix with serial winners?

"I feel like those of the guys up there most weeks anyway and you're used to seeing their names and the more I'm up there the more I'm used to to seeing my name up there with them."

What will the next 18 hours look like now?

"I know I will be pretty late tomorrow so I'll try and stay up a little later and get up a little later so I don't have as much time in the morning. Nothing too crazy."

Oh no. After seemingly digging himself out of a hole with that opening putt, McIlroy can't finish the job.

His par putt start right and stays right.

That sees McIlroy drop back to tied third alongside Dustin Johnson on nine under.

If Rory McIlroy lands this birdie putt on the 15th then they will hear the cheers in Norway.

More ups and downs than the Big One, but that's an excellent effort from the four-time major winner.

Viktor Hovland has just stumbled a bit after reaching eight-under with dropped shots at 11 and 13, but he has the chance regain his forward momentum at the par-five 14th.

He's smoked his drive, but his second is a little wayward, and he'll be chipping from right of the green.

Justin Thomas nails his fairway metal but despairs at watching the ball catch the ridge at the back. He'll face a tricky test to get up-and-in for a bird.

As for Shane Lowry, he's off the left so will be relying on his magical short game in his bid to reach five-under.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at St Andrews

We were straight behind that McIlroy drive at 15 and could see it curving off to the right, the fans by the tee box weren’t so sure and started hurrying along the ropes down the side or the fairway to get a look.

The birdie train has stalled for the moment. Can Rory get it chugging again?

Was it really 27 years ago that Tiger made his debut at St Andrews?

Woods in 1995...

Image source, Getty Images

Much water has flowed under the Swilcan Bridge since then.

Woods in 2022.

Image source, Getty Images

Lumps were in throats and goosebumps on forearms.

There was a poignant moment earlier when Tiger Woods - one of the modern greats, no, the modern great - waved farewell to St Andrews for what he thinks will be the final time.

Three-ball chums Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa played their part in the occasion, giving each other a knowing nod and hanging back to let the 15-time champion soak up the adulation.

Here's how Fitzy has described the moment...

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at St Andrews

Cameron Smith has broken a couple of records for an Open at St Andrews today.

His eight-under-par 64 is the lowest in the second round. And his 36-hole total of 131 (13 under par) is also the lowest recorded.

Image source, Getty Images

Well Morikawa gives himself a chance to pull one back and keep his defence alive - he is getting closer to the cut, but will he have the time?

McIlroy did well to get himself to within a 20-footer but it just runs out of legs and another birdie flies away from his grasp.

Schauffele however, grabs himself a another birdie and gets to -5 - and on we march to the 15th.

Lee Westwood hasn't progressed as much as he would have liked after yesterday's impressive 68, but he's just holed his putt from the front of the 17th green for a rare birdie on that hole.

A birdie at the last and Westy will be well-placed going into the weekend.

Puts Young's play into context.

Shane Lowry had a double and two bogeys yesterday, but the 2019 champion's been much steadier today, picking up his fourth birdie at the 12th to move four-under.

Viktor Hovland's still the best of this three-ball at seven-under, while Justin Thomas - a contender in many people's eyes this week - has just made a much-needed birdie to move further clear of the cut mark.

The US PGA champion hasn't had his A-game, but he's grinding away.

Two very impressive approach shots on the 13th, and Rory McIlroy would love to continue this run of birdies.His putt from 25 feet flirts with the cup and just bobbles over the top of it.

He gazes skywards, and will settle for a par. That was a almost thing of beauty.

Schauffele misses as well and marks up before a straightforward tap-in for a par.

Eyes shift towards the defending champion, but nothing is happening at all for Morikawa, even though it is pars all round.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at St Andrews

Chatter among those trying to keep pace with this McIlroy marquee group is just how many more birdies Rory can make down this final stretch?!

Cameron Young, for a birdie on the 18th. Oh yes, it just sneaks in the right edge!

Well done. That's a round of 69 and the 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie gives himself a great chance of joining his namesake in the final group tomorrow, although Rory McIlroy might have something to say about that.

Robert MacIntyre couldn't make his birdie effort, so he's sitting at level par. That should be good enough to make the cut, but it's not guaranteed just yet.

Giles Lane: Such a nice touch! After being a Marshall for many years, I can tell you that it makes a wonderful feeling to be thanked for your services by a player. Cam Smith thanking the board carrier & scorer departing the 18th makes volunteering worthwhile.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Clubhouse leader Cameron Smith has been chatting to BBC Radio Five Live and talking about how he broke the 36-hole record at the Open:

"I think just being smart. We've done a really good job of creating angles into some pins and just hitting the right shots into the greens and a few putts have dropped as well, it's been really nice."

Do you need a lot of patience?

"I think you have to be patient on links golf. The course is so short and you can definitely get ahead of yourself, you are constantly hitting wedges into greens and just being aware of that."

Won The Players Championship, are you peaking at the right time?

"I wouldn't say it's an ability. I like to treat every week the same. I know there's a few guys out here who treat them a bit differently. I like to go about my business the same and I think that's gone well for me so far."

How will you spend the rest of the evening?

"I think just a little bit of dinner. Probably watch some shows and have a really good sleep in and then get on the bike in the morning and get ready for the day."