By Brian Keogh

Rory McIlroy tied for ninth place as Welshman Llewellyn Matthews romped to a record victory in the St Andrews Links Trophy on Sunday.

The 18-year-old Holywood ace carded closing rounds of 73 and 69 over the Old Course at St Andrews to finish 11 shots behind winner on four -under par.

Wales international Matthews shaved two shots off the previous low aggregate when he closed with rounds of 71 and 67 to finish on 15-under par 273.

"I've always loved St Andrews. The courses were fantastic," said Matthews after finishing three ahead of Australia's Scott Arnold.

It was the first time in half a dozen attempts that he has made the cut and his performance in Walker Cup year was sensational.

France's Alexandre Kaleka third on 277 with England's Jamie Moul, the world number two, a stroke further back

County Louth's Simon Ward finished tied for 38th on eight over after Sunday rounds of 74 and 78,

St Andrews Links Trophy
Final scores

273 Llewellyn Matthews (Southerndown) 68 67 71 67

276 Scott Arnold (Australia) 67 72 69 68

277 Alexandre Kaleka (France) 71 69 69 68

278 Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) 67 73 68 70

280 Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch) 65 73 72 70

281 David Horsey (Styal) 68 71 71 71

283 Lloyd Saltman (Craigielaw) 73 70 71 69, Charles Ford (Kirby Muxloe) 72 70 72 69,

284 Rory McIlroy (Holywood)73 69 73 69, Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills) 72 70 70 72, Jonathan Hurst (Shaw Hill) 68 70 74 72

Other
296 Simon Ward (Co Louth) 72 72 74 78