Rory McIlroy found the bunker off the fifth tee going for the green on this stunning hole. Players are being called up today as they should as it's basically a long par three for the field.

It's not to be trifled with though, as McIlroy can only dig it out of the deep sand trap and then his chip up the green leaves him with plenty of work to do to save par.

You see, just making holes longer doesn't make them better - course design is key - and this design is just incredible.

Catriona Matthew
Captain of Team Europe at the 2019 & 2021 Solheim Cup on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think especially for links golf, length isn't quite as important - it's more about making sure you're hitting on to the fairways.

I think that's why you see older players doing well at The Open.

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking of slow play, Marc Lesihman said yesterday: "It felt like we were on the golf course for about 12 hours".

Later starters such as Rory McIlroy took just under six hours to complete their rounds, which is extreme to say the least.

Tough, ever-changing weather, 156 players from a one-tee start and plenty of golf balls ending up in thick rough that took some finding. All factors, but six hours?

So why did it take so long?

Read our analysis on why play was so slow in round one.

Marc Leishman wasn't happy with the pace of play yesterday but he was out in the first group today so had no issues at all.

It's still taken his group the best part of five hours to get round though (eyes emoji).

Anyway, the Australian was in great touch today with a 68 but he was at five under for his round at one point, and he knows what he's doing on the links after losing that Open play-off to Zach Johnson at St Andrews a decade ago.

Yesterday, the players could hardly be accused of speeding along... so in honour of our new favourite member of the local wildlife - we want you to help us... name that snail!

So far, your intrepid team has come up with... Mi-Shell Wie...

Come on - we know you can do better. MUCH better!

Don't forget to use #bbcgolf and include your name for a shoutout in the live.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Royal Portrush

Image source, BBC Sport

A lot has been said about the slow pace of play so far, but this little dude was down by the 18th fairway and has been loving it.

Hands on hips from Robert MacIntyre, whose birdie putt on the sixth is on line but needs just half a roll more to drop... not to be.

Image source, Getty Images

Brian Harman gets up and down from the front bunker to make a birdie four on the par-five seventh.

He's into a share of the lead alongside Harris English.

Justin Rose is in trouble on the par-three sixth. Short and right of the green, the ball way above his feet and lying in some gnarly rough.

He nudges it up the hill but it trickles back down again, almost back to where he was standing. At least he's got a better lie on the fairway this time.

A better chip second time around but it's a dropped shot for the Englishman.

That run of 23 holes to start The Open without a bogey is over.

Oliver Wilson
Former Ryder Cup player on BBC Radio 5 Live at Portrush

Image source, Getty Images

There was an element of luck off the tee for Tyrrell Hatton, but he'll be delighted with a two there.

Tyrrell Hatton with a bounce-back birdie on the short sixth, holing an eight-footer to get back to four under. No longer a share of the lead, but just one back and a big birdie chance coming up on the long seventh.

Textbook Rory McIlroy hole this one after a monster drive he flicks one in from 150 yards to five feet and just strokes it home for a birdie.

It shows just how well McIlroy is playing, but also why he just has to find a way to hit more fairways, as the rest of his game is in such great shape that when he does he looks incredible.

An excellent lag putt from Bob MacIntyre from about 65 feet helps to secure a birdie for the Scot, who finished as runner-up to JJ Spaun at the US Open last month.

Justin Rose's birdie putt only just slides by the left edge so that'll be another par for the Englishman. That's 23 holes without a bogey at the start of this tournament - last year he got to 29 holes before dropping a shot.

It's a scary drive on the fourth with out of bounds down the right and a lot more bunkers here than on many of the holes at Portrush, especially with Rory McIlroy's big dog not behaving this week.

And so, naturally, McIlroy steps up and unleashes and 348-yard rocket right down the pipe - a lower trajectory laser down the middle of the fairway. Umph!

John Murray
BBC correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

We've not got much company here with leader Harris English, despite being the group immediately behind Rory.

Spectators are very much immediately moving on with the McIlroy group.

Image source, Getty Images

Harris English is in the group behind Rory McIlroy and seems very content to be playing his own game.

He plonks his ball into the middle of the third green and two-putts for par.

That'll keep him one shot clear.

Now this will be irking Tyrrell Hatton. Drive to within 50 yards of the hole but take four more from there.

That's the risk-reward of the fifth. He can't go for the pin with his second given he's in a bit of rough and the hole location is back right, about three yards from out of bounds and a tumble down the cliff to White Rocks Beach.

He nudges his ball onto the green, but he's nearly 100 feet from the hole. Three putts later and he's dropping.

Image source, PA Media

All that praise for Rory McIlroy's magic putter earlier obviously jinxed it, although it's a tough ask to nail a 16 footer for par - so that's a shot gone and he's back where he started the day.

He could really do with settling down a bit though.

Viktor Hovland's run of birdies ends at three, although he gave himself a good look at another one at the fourth from about 12 feet.

When visitors come to the Emerald Isle what are some of the must dos?

They might visit the landmarks, try the cuisine, or have a pint of Guinness.

Well if you want to do the latter, you might find it difficult in Portrush.

Adrian Calvin, general manager at The Quays in the town doubled the pub's Guinness order for this week but it has already sold out.

"It's been far busier than I thought it was going to be."

Adrian needs to get a new Guinness order in to get him through the weekend - especially if Rory McIlroy or Shane Lowry can challenge.

Read more here.