Ramsay regrets 'schoolboy error'

By Brian Keogh

US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay was left to rue a "schoolboy error" at the last that cost him the outright lead in the AIB Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

The 23 year old Scot drove into the drain at the 18th and bogeyed the hole to card a level par 72 that left him tied for the halfway lead with Welshman Rhys Enoch (73) and Ulsterman Richard Kilpatrick (71) on one over par 145.

The Island's Robert McCarthy is alone in fourth place on two over par after a 72 with pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy a shot further back as the cut fell at eight over par 152.

Like Ramsay, McIlroy also drove into the water hazard at the 18th for a 74 that left him in a share of fifth place with Limerick's Pat Murray and the Finn Joonas Granberg.

"I could have opened up a slight lead but I didn't finish it off,” said Ramsay, who was three under par for his round with seven to play. “I could have been a bit more clinical and by my standards that is not good enough. I am not out there to be content."

A disappointed McIlroy had five bogeys and three bogeys on his card and will tee off in the penultimate group today with Murray and McCarthy.

McIlroy said: "It is not the position I am lying in, it is just the way I played. It is just very frustrating. I am probably being a little impatient to be honest but I should be playing better.”