The five-time national champion finished 13 seconds outside the medals.

Golf returns to the Olympic Games next year after more than a century in the wilderness but a ceremony conducted on the fifth tee at Ballybunion over the weekend served as a reminder that the game has made a small contribution to Irish sporting success on the world’s biggest stage.

Niall Turner led home a strong Irish contingent at this week’s Puerto Rico Collegiate Classic.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has set his sights on Tiger Woods' course record in the Irish Close at the European Club.