Harris English among a fascinating group of leaders after Open’s longest day

• Five-way tie on four under after dramatic opening round

• Scottie Scheffler only one shot back after hitting a 68

There are eclectic tales at the summit of this Open leaderboard. It just appeared as if nobody was minded to pay heed to them on a day when Rory McIlroy's competitive return to Northern Ireland turned every head and Scottie Scheffler performed his usual trick of hiding in plain sight.

McIlroy seemed to battle his game more than the elements for much of round one but emerged unscathed and under par. McIlroy lacks nothing in tenacity, a matter which is often overlooked. His 70 leaves him just three from the lead in what is a wonderfully congested major.