The day dawned with barely a European name in sight on the Open leaderboard, those of Henrik Stenson and Rafael Cabrera-Bello alone sitting in the midst of those from North America as well as that of a Japanese and a South African.

By the end of a hugely entertaining day on the links the balance had been restored with six European players in the top 13 finishers.

Rory McIlroy’s ascent from 11th to fourth place concluded when he landed an eagle at the 17th to move to an ominous looking five under at the same time as Jordan Spieth was pacing around the practice ground looking for a line for his stray ball into the 13th green.

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McIlroy’s drive into the right rough effectively cost him the chance of the birdie at the last that would have moved him to third alongside China’s Li Haotong, but nevertheless it concluded a satisfactory afternoon for the Northern Irishman, who signed for a 67.

“It was a step in the right direction looking at what happened the last few weeks, which is obviously a lot better,” the world No4 said, referring to his missed cuts at the Irish and Scottish Open tournaments and firmly focusing on the season’s final major, the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow next month.

“As soon as I started off and I saw what Haotong finished at, I wanted to get level with him if not beat him, get in the clubhouse at six or seven under – I didn’t quite get there.”

Cabrera-Bello, who had clearly brought his links form down with him from the Scottish Open which he won last week, held his own and the Spaniard finished alongside McIlroy after a round of 68 which featured 16 pars and two birdies.

Matthew Southgate, who finished tied for second place at the Irish Open two weeks ago, was the first of the ascendants home with a five-under 65 for a four‑under total and missed out on an invitation to the Masters by just a shot. “Walking off I had to ask my caddie what I had scored, I honestly didn’t know,” said the 28‑year‑old native of Southend who was playing his third Open.

“I’m new to playing in major championships, but I think that’s a good sign when you’re playing that well on a Sunday, and you don’t know what your score is because of your focus. I’m absolutely thrilled the way I played.”

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Alex Noren of Sweden, the BMW PGA champion who secured that title by storming through a stellar field with a 62 in the final round, joined Southgate with another decent finish of three under for a share of sixth place while England’s Paul Casey completed a curious tournament at three under after a 67, his three birdies compiled consecutively from the 15th.

His tournament was ruined with a seven-over 77 playing in the best of the bad conditions in the second round, also the occasion of his 40th birthday, and he finished tied-11th with the 2016 champion Stenson, whose defence was marred with a 73 in the worst of the conditions the same day and whose tournament was effectively ruined with burglary at his rental home the day before.

“It was a day where you feel like you want to go out and make birdies like you made yesterday in the good conditions, but the wind picked up as we went on and the pin positions are certainly tougher today. So whenever you’re out of position, it’s easy to make mistakes. I made a few on the front nine and they cost me. I hit the turn at three over. And I had to dig really deep to make a couple of birdies coming home, and kind of get the day back in order.”

Reflecting on his experience in front of the Birkdale crowds, the Swede was effusive and clearly he is not one to harbour grudges.

“It’s been great,” he said. “The crowds have been amazing. The reception over the last couple of days, walking up basically to every green and down every fairway has been amazing.

“They certainly didn’t forget what we did last year [at Royal Troon, when he faced down Phil Mickelson]. So for me, together with the Ryder Cup, it’s the best feeling to play golf in front of these fans and get their appreciation. So it’s been a great week.

“I’m going to enjoy the last week of summer back in Sweden or whatever the weather might bring us. But going to have some time with family and friends, and that will be the last days I spend in Sweden until next summer.”