There they were, some of the world's highest-ranked players, complaining about the severity of the wind. It was enough to make you wonder how they would have reacted to the sight of Christy O'Connor Snr in his hey-day, hitting two drivers quail high into a par four.

Though somewhat vague, the forecast is nonetheless ominous. According to yesterday's meteorological report for the Southport area, the weather "looks likely to remain unsettled through the rest of the week and into the weekend."

Ernie Els, the world number two, played "nicely" in a practice round yesterday but had to settle for a four-over-par 74. "This is the toughest par-70 I have ever played - tougher than the Olympic Club," was his verdict.

Els has prepared better than most, by flitting around Ireland in a helicopter last week, playing such renowned links terrain as Royal Portrush, Royal Co Down, Portmarnock, Ballybunion and Royal Dublin. "We don't play enough links golf," he complained. But then there weren't gale-force winds in Ireland last week.

Tom Lehman captured the title at Royal Lytham in 1996 in what he described as "San Diego" weather. This was clearly different. "It is awfully difficult," he said. "I took my driver, five iron, a putter and six golf balls to play nine holes and by the time I reached the eighth, I was out of balls."

Lehman went on: "I wouldn't say the course was unplayable but it was very difficult. On the second hole (410 yards), I hit two drivers and didn't get it there. That shows how hard it was."

His solution for coping with the wind? "When the wind is blowing hard, I practise trying to hit the ball high," he replied. "In that way you stay behind it and if you do that, you can then go ahead and hit it low and stay in balance." It is rather different to the approach employed by O'Connor in practice sessions into east winds at Royal Dublin. I remember Tommy Murphy, a one-time assistant professional there, telling me how he had marvelled at the low flight of four-wood shots rifled into the wind. On asking O'Connor how it was done, he was informed: "I'm hitting half-way up the ball."

But as Lehman pointed out: "It's not easy to come from Scottsdale, Arizona, where it is 110 degrees and calm every day to this. Still, you've got to expect it, otherwise you aren't going to do very well. The best players don't complain about the weather. They accept that they have to play it in and they prepare themselves accordingly."

That was the sort of attitude one detected from Lee Janzen, the reigning US Open champion, who admitted that he had managed only two birdies in 36 holes of practice at Birkdale so far. "When I won at the Olympic Club, I had to work the ball along the slopes, but we're not used to the way you have to work it in the wind over here," he admitted.

"If the wind stays this way, I can't see anybody shooting under par." Then he added with a grin: "They say that the design of links courses makes them suited to high winds, but I don't this one is."

If Els happens to win the Open this week at his eighth attempt, his hosts back in Ireland can take a fair bit of the credit. "The people were unbelievable, especially at Ballybunion where we had a few pints," he said.

As to which courses he liked best, the two-time US Open winner thought it was a toss-up between Ballybunion and Royal Co Down. "Ballybunion is a special course but Royal Co Down, with its blind shots, was a tougher, more difficult challenge," he said.

It is difficult to see Els as a serious contender, despite a fine record of four top-10 finishes in his six appearances as a professional. They included a share of fifth place behind Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992, sixth behind Greg Norman at Royal St George's the following year and second place behind Lehman at Lytham in 1996.

It is clear that a damaged back is still bothering him and he will be receiving treatment here from his specialist, Tom Boors. "I may decide to take a month off after this week and go home to South Africa so as to get it properly sorted out. In the meantime, I intend to give it a right go this week and see what happens."

Looking beyond his own chances, Els felt that the conditions should suit a European player. "Possibly Darren Clarke," he suggested. "He's a good wind player and he's been showing some good form this year."

Though players like Els, Lehman and Janzen may lack the expertise of O'Connor in the wind, it was nonetheless heartening to note their appreciation of links terrain, as exemplified at Birkdale. Indeed there was almost a dream-like quality to Lehman's voice as he said: "I love the way it looks, the way it's set up, winding through the sand dunes."

Then he concluded: "I think it is a very appealing golf course visually, its definition and the changes in elevation. The way it helps you line up your shot." Until, presumably, howling winds unceremoniously knock you off balance.