McIlroy and Hovland bring touches of magic and theatre to St Andrews | Kevin Mitchell

Irishman and Norwegian decide to take on the course and share the lead going into the final round of the Open

Golf is not just about numbers, although it would be meaningless without them. What excites players and spectators alike is the occasional magic trick, something memorable to bring delight and joy to all who love the game - even the LIV renegades lurking further down the table.

Such a moment arrived for Rory McIlroy and the rest of us on the 10th, the 386-yard par four named after a magician of long ago, the triple Open champion, Bobby Jones, who mastered this course twice, in 1926 and 1927.