Rory McIlroy, Xander Schaueffele & Justin Rose among early starters on day two Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp, Sepp Straka & Victor Perez shared first-round lead on six-under 64 Jack Herrall, George O'Neill & Andrew Petrie Andrew Petrie BBC Sport Scotland at The Renaissance Club I said it yesterday,

Open Championship golfers and the British Open favorite to win ahead of the year's final major at Royal Portrush

Royal Portrush will host the 153rd Open Championship for only the third time in its history. Six years ago Irishman Shane Lowry made his major breakthrough, a popular winner once home favourite Rory McIlroy missed the cut. Here the PA news agency looks at this year’s event in Northern Ireland.

Sepp Straka had eight birdies in his round of 64, also joined by Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez atop the leaderboard alongside Knapp. Four other players were one shot behind, while Scottie Scheffler had to settle for a 67 and was three back.

Words are tricky. Their meanings change constantly, and the next thing you know, a phrase as old as time has a new definition. Golf is a sport of history, which makes this entire rigamarole over what to call the British Open/Open Championship/The Open so confusing.

Nine players as well as officials from the R&A will take part in formal press conferences ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

A dispute over pay has yet to be resolved less than a week before the international tournament is due to begin.