Shane Lowry distils the mania around him as Donald Trump and Clare Force One hit the course

The morning breeze around Doonbeg was gentle but still it carried murmurs about Donald Trump’s intentions. Some thought he would rise early to see off Rory McIlroy, others swore he’d be out to see Brooks Koepka less than an hour later. Media gathered opposite the hotel door, their backs to the 18th green, waiting for another chance to open a diplomatic tinderbox and hand the president a match.

But Trump didn’t stir until lunchtime, which made him Shane Lowry’s problem. Eric Trump arrived at the first tee box at 1.47pm, quickly followed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife, Mary. Eric talked up the golf course during small talk while the White House snappers and TV crews went into position with precise choreography. A sniffer dog bounded along, straining at the end of its leash, briefly starting for a marshal before veering away. “Good job I don’t have the rashers in me pocket,” he said with a laugh. We chose not to ask the man in what scenario he usually carried rashers in his pockets, lest we draw any unwanted attention from the Secret Service agents.