Walking the final holes of the Open with Tiger Woods was a spiritual or quasi-religious experience. The unconditional love for the American superstar - along with cries of “Thank you Tiger” - radiated more warmth than the anaemic Scottish sun.
And Woods, who we have accompanied on his journey from ruthless winning machine to an emotional favourite, struggled to fight back the tears. Sixteen years after his last Open win and at the age of 46, when a younger, sexier generation has taken over the Majors and the top of the world rankings, he is still the player everyone wants to see. And then say they were there.
He means so much to so many people, a golfing superstar who transcends the sport. When he won his first Open here in 2000 - my first ever Major - he completed a career Grand Slam at the age of 24. Between the ages of Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi and Cristiano, he was the undoubted biggest name in sport. His 2009 sex scandal took his fame to another, unwanted, level.
