He was “a par five” from his house when he discovered things had changed, so returned immediately to Nice airport.

On arrival, though, there were so seats left on any direct flight back to London, so he instead flew to Paris Orly and hired a private jet for around £7,600.

After a few hours’ sleep, that took off at 6am and, with the hour’s time difference, he was back at Wentworth at 6.45 and teed off two hours later.

Nine birdies later he was, incredibly, tied for the lead with England’s Luke Donald, who had yet to tee off for his third round. He began the day joint 63rd.

Karlsson, furious after ending his second day's work with a double bogey seven on the controversial new 18th, this time holed a 12-footer there and was all smiles.

“Do you want the short or long version?” he asked when requested to go through what had happened.

“I’ve been in this position a few times and know it’s important to keep going. I said: ’We’ve got invited to this party, so let’s party’.

“Don’t touch my putter – you might burn your hands. It was important to get off to a good start (he had a hat-trick of birdies from the second) and the most important thing is not to back off and protect it.”