McIlroy’s brave medal bid fails

IRISH teenager Rory McIlroy failed in his brave bid for a medal in the European amateur individual championship over Antwerp’s Rinkven course at the weekend.

The 16-year-old Irish champion from Holywood had been among the leaders from the start on Wednesday but finished in joint fourth place with a 72-hole aggregate of 284 - four under par. He played steadily in the final round but not spectacularly and posted a closing 71.

He was four strokes behind new Euro champion Marius Thorp of Norway. England’s Matthew Cryer and Rafael Cabrera tied for second place and both left with silver medals.

Dunmurry’s Darren Crowe finished on 292, Cian McNamara on 295 and Michael McGeady on 296. Former champion Brian McElhinney ended on 299 and Meryn Owens on 300.