Talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf have dragged on for over a year since their shock deal announcement, with one detail still problematic: getting players to agree on who gets to keep their millions.

Maybe Rory McIlroy’s luck is changing. In his first round since losing the Irish Open in agonising scenes last Sunday, the world No 3 watched in disbelief as he hit an approach shot to seven feet - but only after the head of his nine-iron had flown off down the fairway.