Sir Nick Faldo got a fitting St Andrews send-off and probably an Open Championship one as well.
The memories of a hard-to-watch first day 11 over par 83 were banished by a perfectly respectable one under 71 yesterday.
There was a long birdie putt from off the green on the 17th, pictures on the Swilcan Bridge, and a walk up 18 with the sun shining and spectators on their feet to acclaim the three-time champion golfer.
Oh, and he got to pull on his favourite yellow jumper for the cameras (even if it was worn the first time at Muirfield not St Andrews).
Faldo hinted that this will be his lot in the Open despite previously suggesting he would keep going for another two.
“It has been a great day, and a three on the 17th has made by week,” he said.
“Yesterday was no fun and I wasn’t interested in playing today but my kids told me I would regret it if I didn’t play and when the kids say you have to go, you have to go.
“It was all about standing on the bridge and I wanted to bust out my old jumper. It would have been stupid to miss that. I am dying to make the cut but I am 58, I play once a year and there are kids less than half my age out there. If that is the last walk I will be really happy.
“If I’m sensible, that is it. I will do my best to be sensible.”
In an ideal world Tom Watson would have got the same pomp and ceremony for his goodbye.
But fate and the weather conspired to see the five-time winner walking up 18 in near darkness approaching 10 o’clock.
Those who had stayed on to the bitter end roared Watson up 18, closing the chapter on an incredible Open story.