So it would have been a fair effort to back up his heroics 12 months later – and it proved too tough of an ask on Wednesday.

Millar was two shots behind the leaders at the start of day two after he had shot a three-under-par round of 68 on day one.

“I played okay on day one, but to finish three under was probably a little bit disappointing,” Millar said.

He eventually finished 10 shots behind winner Jordan Mullaney with a six-over-par round of 77 on day two. It just wasn’t to be.

“I had a shocker, it was my worst round of the year so far,” Millar said.

“There was a triple bogey, then I hit it in the bunker where there wasn’t any sand, so it just wasn’t my day.

“Thank God I don’t usually have too many days like I had (on Wednesday).”

The 42-year-old from Canberra had previously indicated he prefers windy conditions.

When he woke up at the start of day two and saw there was a strong nor-easter blowing, he would have fancied his chances.

“I wasn’t unhappy about the conditions when I woke up, but I didn’t sink any of my putts; I didn’t hole a thing,” he said.

“I hit a couple of poor shots and paid the penalty – it just wasn’t my day; it’s a bit like getting out of bed on the wrong side.”

Millar returned from Europe in the middle of last week, but refused to blame that as an excuse for his performance.

“I only got back last Wednesday and came up to Kew on Sunday so it wasn’t the best preparation,” he said.

“It would have been nice to win it again, but that’s the way it goes.”