Rory McIlroy has been joined at the top of the leaderboard as he begins his second round at the Open Championship.

The world number eight has just teed-off at Hoylake, but Italy's Francesco Molinari has picked up 2 shots today to move level with McIlroy on 6-under par.

Matteo Manassero and George Coetzee are both on 5-under par.

Of the other Irish players Darren Clarke remains on level par during the early stages of his second round; Shane Lowry is battling to recover from a nightmare front 9 this morning; and Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington are both on 2-over.

Meanwhile, Paul Dunne has recovered from a shaky start to hole 4 birdies in quick succession, which leaves him on 5-over par.

But Michael Hoey has been forced to withdraw from the tournament with a foot injury.