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.