Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster Open continues into second round at Royal Portrush - The Northern Irishman had two birdies and two bogeys in his front nine.

Those anxious souls in the grandstands, gazing on their hero below, inched forward in their seats—an almost imperceptible lean, telegraphing their anxieties. They held a collective breath as the club drew back,

McIlroy, playing with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, is one of the early starters in Friday’s second round and sits just three shots behind the leaders overnight, with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler,