As chilly winds whipped across Whistling Straits on Wednesday morning European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington smiled and described it as a beach day – in Ireland.

Irishman Shane Lowry had much the same view. “It feels very much like a summer’s day in Ireland,” offered the 2019 British Open winner with a television weatherman’s deadpan delivery.

Listening to Harrington and Lowry, it sounds as if they might have made the decision themselves except that it is the Americans’ turn to stage the biennial competition and their choice.

“I’m pretty happy with the conditions here to be honest,” said Lowry, ahead of a morning practice round with winds gusting close to 30 mph (48 kph). “I’m happy with the golf course and that cold wind. It feels very much like a summer’s day in Ireland.”