McDowell closed the first first day in a three way tie at the top at one under par.

The Ulsterman, Rocco Mediate of the United States and Robert Allenby of Australia all took full advantage of improving weather conditions later in the day on Thursday to share the first round lead in the race for the famous old claret jug.

But two-time champion Greg Norman joined American Rocco Mediate at the top of the leaderboard on Friday morning.

The weather has improved but it is still windy and rain is forecast later.

McDowell though came out smiling again from a day of wind, rain and cold that left others either battered or furious when the Open Championship began at Royal Birkdale.

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.

He said: "I sat having my breakfast thinking 'do I have to have to go out in this?' but I got lucky."

Now 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.

"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."