He had spent his week making headlines as he pondered publicly the meaning of his golfing existence, but Scottie Scheffler left his philosophical musings behind him at Royal Portrush to allow his clubs do all the eloquent talking for him.
They all spoke of the US world No.1 being right back in the groove as Scheffler shot an opening three-under par 68 on Thursday to lie just one shot off the lead as his smooth move into early contention at the 153rd British Open Championship felt as predictable as the Northern Ireland weather proved wholly unfathomable.
After a crazy day of rain, sunshine and gusts had made life a test for everyone on the County Antrim links, Scheffler ending up hot on the heels of former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who was in a five-way tie for the lead at four under.
