Open Championship leader Rory McIlroy will take to the Royal Liverpool links later looking to avoid the dreaded second-round syndrome which has dogged him all year.

Rory McIlroy arrives at Royal Liverpool today for this week’s Open Championship with a flea in his ear from north of Hadrian’s Wall following his less than complimentary remarks about a regular Scottish Open venue.

Graeme McDowell achieved a career first and heads into next week’s British Open in the best possible frame of mind after virtually being handed a successful defence of his French Open title in Versailles.