Rory McIlroy leads the field after his first round at the 2014 Open Championship.

The World Number 8 has once again recorded a blistering opening round, taking just 66 shots to get around the Royal Liverpool course at Hoylake.

He is on 6-under par after a bogey-free round, which leaves him just ahead of Italy's Matteo Manassero on 5-under with a large group of players on 4-under par including the likes of Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk.

Tiger Woods recovered from carding two bogeys in his opening two holes to record a 3-under par 69.

2011 champion Darren Clarke finished the day on level par, while Michael Hoey is also on level par after 9 holes of his first round.

Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington have both finished the day on 2-over after opening rounds of 74.

Meanwhile, Paul Dunne and Shane Lowry will both tee-off within the next half-hour.