Such was the measure of Francesco Molinari’s surprise to be in the Open champion’s chair with the Claret Jug by his side, the plane he had booked to return to London was already boarding at Edinburgh airport.

After three years away from The Open due to a series of back surgeries, Tiger Woods really could not have picked a better time to make his return to the game’s oldest championship.

Brooks Koepka may have collected more than €1.8m for his US Open victory at Shinnecock Hills a month ago but the world number four revealed yesterday that he had more fun winning playing in Scotland as a rookie professional on the European Challenge Tour.

Three missed cuts in his last three Open Championship appearances have not rendered Shane Lowry a bad player of links golf and the Irishman is relishing the opportunity to redress the balance at Carnoustie this week.

They call the 18th hole “Home”. Talk to those professionals who have to negotiate the 499-yard par four at the end of a tough day on the most difficult course in The Open rotation, however, and they will tell you it offers little in the way of comfort.