Winner of the Scottish Open last Sunday, the 28-year-old Northern Irishman had the luck of the draw to be out late as conditions eased and with a one-under-par 69 joined American Rocco Mediate and Australian Robert Allenby in the clubhouse lead.

McDowell, out in front on his own when he started with a 66 at Hoylake two years ago, hopes to show he can cope with the situation far better than he did then.

One big difference, of course, is that there is no Tiger Woods to "leave us all in the dust", but the Portrush golfer believes he is far more capable of handling it regardless of the opposition.

"I felt a bit like a rabbit in the headlights then," he said, recalling his fall from first to 61st. "I didn't have a whole lot of belief in myself, but I certainly feel a different player.

Click here to read Nick Westby's Birkdale blog.

"I sat having my breakfast (yesterday) thinking 'do I have to have to go out in this?', but I got lucky.

"Obviously it's very important to come down from the elation of Sunday and move on, but I had the biggest tournament on the planet to get ready for."

McDowell, Mediate and Allenby all birdied the two closing holes – two of only four downwind – to break par. All three did it after 5.30pm to underline the importance of the tee-off times.

Mediate, the 45-year-old who last month took world No 1 Woods to a play-off at the US Open, is playing his first Open since Muirfield in 2002.

The weather was also horrendous there on one day, but he said: "You've just got to get it done whether it's pretty or ugly. I love it here and it's great to be back."

Despite four wins on the US Tour, Allenby, home in a sparkling 32, does not have a top-six finish to his name in the majors.

World No 2 Phil Mickelson took a nine-over-par 79 and twice-Open champion Ernie Els slumped to an 80.

Mickelson's fellow-American Jerry Kelly had an 83 and, with only one tee moved forward a mere 10 yards, let rip at the Royal and Ancient Club just as he did at the United States Golf Association when a green in the 2004 US Open became unplayable.

On that occasion Kelly, having returned an 81, asked: "When are they going to grow a head?" This time he stated: "It's the worst set-up since Shinnecock Hills. It seems they are learning from the USGA."

York's Simon Dyson, round in 82, said: "I can't believe they didn't put the tees forward and I think they'll come under fire."

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, responded that the wind and the rain were worse than had been predicted, but did not believe that the course was too tough or unfair. "What gets written on the Claret Jug is how many strokes, not how many under par," he said

The tee position at the 436-yard 11th was the one which was moved, but Dawson conceded that "in hindsight it would have been nice to have another tee maybe 20 yards in front."

Worringly for everybody concerned, the current forecast is for things to get worse before they get better – and, if the gusts do indeed reach 45mph tomorrow, play may have to be suspended because the balls simply would not stay still on the greens.

Lee Westwood in his 75 had that happen to him on the sixth hole, but seconds later was wearing a big smile because he chipped in.

Fifty-three-year-old twice winner Greg Norman, watched by his new wife Chris Evert, came in with a level par 70, as did compatriot Adam Scott after reaching two under with three to play and then bogeying the 16th and 17th.

Sergio Garcia, loser of the play-off to Padraig Harrington at Carnoustie a year ago, was a late starter and carded a two-over 72.