“I didn’t have my best stuff, but, man, but I felt like I stepped up when I needed to there in the end,” Scheffler said.

Not only was Nicklaus there to greet Scheffler, but wife Meredith and their baby boy. What a  month it has been for the family since Bennett was born last month. Scheffler was arrested the next week and charged for assaulting a police officer outside the Valhalla venue for the US PGA – a ridiculous case that was eventually thrown out.

However, it inevitably took a mental toll and Scheffler sounded relieved that this success showed the saga is behind him and his family.

“It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster,” Scheffler said. “I think that’s a pretty accurate description of what it’s felt like at times. Yeah, it’s definitely nice to be sitting here a winner again.”

Hadwin came third, with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick enjoying a return to form with a tie for fifth on two-under after a 69. The severity of the course was highlighted when Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open champion, signed for an 85.

Lowry’s playing partner and countryman, Rory McIlroy, was challenging for a top-five finish before he dropped five shots in five holes on the back nine. 

He eventually posted a 76 for a two-over total and a tie for 15th and he will try to take the positives into the season’s third major, although he would accept that, at the moment, neither he nor anyone else is operating anywhere near Scheffler’s level.