British open golf championship
Young guns no longer in awe of Tiger, says Jacklin
Woods and Fleetwood are among a gaggle of players who are four shots behind joint-leaders Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner.
Spieth and Thomas are among a small 34-man field that includes the top five players in the world, Johnson, Spieth, Thomas, Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama.
McIlroy's last major title came at the 2014 United States PGA Championship a few weeks after he won the British Open at Hoylake and he looked set to dominate the sport.
Stenson's round equalled the lowest in any major and his total was also a record for any of the majors.
Woods has not competed in almost 11 months and has offered no timetable on a possible return to action.
Heavy rain flooded the Old Course at St Andrews, leaving many of the greens, fairways and bunkers under water.
Spieth tucked in two strokes behind countryman and playing partner Dustin Johnson.
If Spieth wins, he will become the first winner of golf’s first three major tournaments of the year.
Nick Faldo says jet-lag will be nothing for Spieth at the British Open because he has a special golfing IQ.
Misfortunes and disappointments almost deterred McIlroy from playing an impressive game.
Gerry McIlroy had placed a 500-1 bet on his son a decade ago to land the coveted Claret Jug within 10 years.
Rory McIlroy began the day six shots clear and increased his lead to seven strokes with a birdie at the first.
Rory McIlroy left the door invitingly ajar for a charging pack led by Rickie Fowler.
Rickie Fowler was left rueing two wayward late drives and one errant approach.
Rory McIlroy waited patiently for the right moment to press the turbo-charge button.
Jeremy Harris analyses the weather at the Open and how it will affect events.
A majestic second round gave Rory McIlroy a four-shot stranglehold on the British Open.
The South African made light of stiffening breezes to sail up the leaderboard.
Former European number one Robert Karlsson set a sizzling early pace at the British Open.