A birdie at the sixth for Shane Lowry continues a dream day so far for those of an Irish persuasion. He joins Justin Rose, whose just lost a shot at the fourth and hasn’t yet got going, at seven under.

Five under through five! Rory McIlroy raises a palm to the patron, another lengthy birdie putt disappearing without so much of a wobble. This is extraordinary.

Just when Viktor Hovland was beginning to threaten, dropped shots at five and six see him slide again. An eventful front nine so far for Hovland, who suggested yesterday that he felt his swing was currently only at a seven out of 10 - for a player known for tinkering, you do wonder if Hovland will ever be totally happy with his game.

Yep, a bogey for Bryson at the third. He admonishes himself as he knocks it in - he knows he’s played that poorly.

All a little untidy from Bryson DeChambeau at the third, biting off more than he can chew with his drive, making a hash of his first chip and then leaving the second shy of where he’d like it. A real nibbler of a par putt to come.

He won’t let it affect him, but Scottie Scheffler will be hearing the cheers from the groups behind him. He’s not quite found his range yet, though he averts disaster at the fifth with a lovely up and down.

Speaking of which, for the second time today, Sungjae Im’s caddie won’t be required to retrieve his putter. The South Korean holes out from a frontside bunker to join those four in arrears.

It’s not quite McIlroy’s start, but birdie, birdie means Bryson DeChambeau has blown out of the blocks, too. His long eagle putt after that iron leaves him with work to do, but the US Open winner does it with a minimum of fuss.

Shane Lowry, meanwhile, has dropped back to -6.

There are times where you have to remember just how good, and frankly freakish, some of these guys are. When faced with 244 yards, there are plenty of golfers would be happy to give it a go in two; Bryson DeChambeau instead stands over his ball with iron in hand and finds the green. An eagle putt upcoming at the second.

On the third green, meanwhile, it’s another for Rory McIlroy. Four strokes gained in three holes. Supreme golf.

Rory McIlroy’s isn’t the only Irishman off to a strong start. Par, birdie, birdie for Shane Lowry, whose eyeing his great mate at the top of the leaderboard.

Oh my! Rory McIlroy has an eagle at the second! A chip from the fringe is delicate, deft and delectable, the hole gobbling it up. What a start - we have a new solo leader.