Those conditions returned during round two and were harder to manage but a 75 was enough to see him through to the weekend on his major debut. 

The third round was much more like it. Scott produced back-to-back birdies before two bogeys followed on 10 and 12.

A final birdie on the 13th allowed him to card his first under-par round at The Open and gave him a three-shot lead in the race for the Silver Medal with one round remaining. 

On Championship Sunday, Scott struggled a little. He went through the front nine at even-par before five bogeys in seven holes made things slightly interesting, even though his challengers dropped further back. 

He responded well and strode up the final fairway with a birdie chance awaiting him on the 18th green and the medal almost around his neck.

That was when it hit him, with friends, family and clubmates from Nairn Golf Club, just outside of Inverness, joining the chorus of cheers from the grandstands. 

He added: “I am super happy, relieved as well. I made it tough for myself coming in, but I am super happy to be the low amateur for this event. 

“The first nine holes I played really well, I could have taken a few more opportunities but overall even par wasn’t too bad for the front nine.  

“The wind has been different pretty much every day and it was just side winds through every hole. But I made it tough for myself on the back nine.  

“It is one of the highest honours you can win as an amateur. To be able to make the cut because, first of all, you have to make the cut to win this award.  

“And to beat out 11 other amateurs, I am very proud of myself for that and to compete in a tournament like The Open is just amazing.” 

Twelve amateurs qualified for The Open, a 37-year high. Four made the cut, with the quartet tightly bunched and separated by only two shots ahead of round three.