Rory McIlroy's Walker Cup hopes suffered a blow today after he was beaten in the first round proper of the British Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The Co Down teenager, who squeezed through qualifying with one stroke to spare, suffered a 2 and 1 defeat at the hands of 19-year-old Daniel Willett, a two-time winner on the American college circuit this year.
Willett came racing out of the blocks and was five up through seven before McIlroy, the current European champion, fought back to make a match of it.
But despite covering the back nine in five under, McIlroy was unable to get back on terms and was left to rue what ultimately will be viewed as a disappointing campaign.
"Daniel had three birdies in the opening holes and was five under for 17 holes," McIlroy said afterwards. "When I was five down I was just concentrating on getting back to a reasonable score."
Elsewhere, there was better news for Co Louth's Simon Ward and Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell who both progressed but Niall Turner and Niall Kearney were eliminated. Irish Close winner Shane Lowry is currently in action against Lurgan's Gareth Shaw.
