“I could have putted (for his second shot to the 459-yard hole). When I played it a week ago I hit a two iron short.

“The 18th was playing into the wind today, so it was driver three wood. When I played here last Sunday I hit three wood and a nine iron.

“That’s one of the tricky things when the course gets that firm. It’s very hard to think outside the box the way we normally think. You can hit three irons 290 yards and it’s just hard to get your head round that, basically.

“I guess as the week goes on you learn each day. It becomes easier to remember what’s going to happen.”

Asked if it favoured the Europeans more used to links golf, Howell said: “We’re more used to it than the rookie Americans, but Davis Love has been coming here for 20 years.”

As for the fierce heat he added: “I’m pleased I came up last week and played the course a couple of times in very windy conditions

“When I played last summer it was the prevailing wind, which we haven’t had the last three days, so I’m pleased by that as well.

“I teed off at 7.30am yesterday and it was still unbelievably hot when we finished. I wouldn’t have liked to play yesterday afternoon.

“It’s not as hot as it was at the US Open a few weeks ago and I think the temperature is going to drop by a few degrees tomorrow. I don’t think the weather is a particular problem.

“Obviously it’s unusual for the (British) Open. You prepare yourself for particularly bad weather, not particularly hot, but it’s a pleasant surprise.”