Michael Hoey threatened to record the first 59 in European Tour history before having to settle for a share of the lead on a low-scoring first day of the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily.

Michael Quirke (Doneraile) is the Irish Seniors Amateur Open champion after winning a three-hole play-off with American Bev Hargraves, whose final round 72 closed what had began as a four-shot gap.

Rory McIlroy was closer to missing a third successive cut than challenging joint leader Tiger Woods in the second round of the weather-delayed Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village last night.