McIlroy fights on in Open quest

The North's Rory McIlroy, leading amateur in last year’s Open Championship, today kept alive his faint hopes of qualifying for this year’s event at Royal Birkdale.

McIlroy shot to fame 12 months ago with an opening round of 68 at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day, before going on to win the silver medal as top amateur in 42nd place.