Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson produce links perfection

If you felt a change of wind sweeping across Royal Troon Sunday, it came not from Mother Nature but from Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A.

Until the afternoon became engulfed in pure athletic brilliance by Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson, the 145th Open Championship was threatening to be held up as one of the most forgettable in recent time.

Instead, Slumbers — in his first year as top authority since taking over for Peter Dawson — breathed a massive sigh of relief.