St Jude Offers McIlroy No Respite

Rory McIlroy had to settle for a share of seventh place at the St Jude Classic as a final-hole double bogey ended his hopes of a morale-boosting win ahead of his US Open title defence next week.

McIlroy was sharing the lead as he stood on the 18th tee, but he found water on the last as he hit a 69.

Dustin Johnson clinched victory as birdies on the 16th and 17th helped him card a closing 66.

Johnson finished a shot ahead of another American, John Merrick.

Merrick went close to forcing a play-off as his chip for birdie at the closing hole just failed to drop.

Johnson, who won his sixth PGA Tour title, only returned to action recently after two months out because of a rib injury.

After missing the cut in his last three events, McIlroy looked set for victory after four birdies in his opening 11 holes moved him to nine under and two clear of the field.

However, the 23-year-old's momentum was halted by bogeys on the 12th and 14th.

The US Open champion moved back into the joint lead with Chad Campbell and Johnson after a superb birdie on 17.

However, his hooked three-wood tee shot at the final hole put paid to his hopes as he also failed to get up and down for bogey from just off the green.

Campbell also found water at the last and his closing bogey dropped him into a share of third place with Ryan Palmer, Nick O'Hern and US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III.

England's Greg Owen ended up in a share of 11th place on five under after a closing 65, with Padraig Harrington a further shot back after a 69.

John Daly finished on three under as he fired a closing 64.

GB & Ireland Win Curtis Cup

GB & Ireland produced a superb showing in Sunday's singles to reclaim the Curtis Cup with a thrilling 10½-9½ victory over America.

The hosts headed into the final day at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland trailing by a single point and knowing they had to win five of the eight games to win the trophy for the first time in 16 years.

But they did just that as Kelly Tidy, Amy Boulden, Holly Clyburn, Charley Hull and Stephanie Meadow all emerged victorious.

The result was secured when Meadow shook hands on a 4&3 victory over Amy Anderson on the 15th green, sparking home celebrations.

For the first time in the history of golf Great Britain, Ireland and Europe now hold all four major professional and amateur men and women's team trophies, with the Curtis Cup being added to the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and the Walker Cup.

"It is very, very special to have captured golfing history today," GB & Ireland captain Tegwen Matthews said afterwards. "I had joked and joked to the team about all the pressure they were under to win this week given that it would mean holding all four main team trophies between GB & I and Europe against the States.

"So that was a challenge for me and it's just fabulous we've won because I am just as competitive as my players in wanting to achieve that goal and we have managed to do that."

Meanwhile, in the wake of the triumph, officials announced that Dun Laoghaire Club in Ireland would host the 2016 edition of the match.

Ireland has staged the biennial women's amateur team event only once since the Curtis Cup started in 1932 - Killarney Golf and Fishing Club hosting in 1996 when GB & Ireland claimed a third consecutive victory.

Singles results:

Kelly Tidy (GB&I) beat Austin Ernst (US), 2 & 1

Amy Boulden (GB&I) beat Emily Turbert (US), 3 & 1

Holly Clyburn (GB&I) beat Erica Popson (US), 3 & 2

Pamela Pretswell (GB&I) lost to Lisa McCloskey (US), 4 & 3

Bronte Law (GB&I) lost to Tiffany Lau (US), 2 holes

Charley Hull (GB&I) beat Lindy Duncan (US), 5 & 3

Stephanie Meadow (GB&I) beat Amy Anderson (US), 4 & 3

Leona Maguire (GB&I) lost to Brooke Pancake (US), 6 & 5

Great Britain & Ireland 10½ - 9½ United States

McIlroy Still in Memphis Mix

Rory McIlroy dropped a shot off the pace at the St Jude Classic after firing a two-over 72 in windy conditions in Saturday's third round.

McIlroy led by a stroke after Friday's 65 but struggles off the tee caused him to card six bogeys on Saturday.

US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love shares the lead on six under with John Merrick and Australia's Nick O'Hern.

McIlroy, is a shot back with Dustin Johnson, Kevin Kisner, Chad Campbell, Robert Allenby and Kevin Stadler.

Stadler moved into a four-shot lead early in his round but his momentum was halted by a double bogey at the ninth and two further dropped shots on the back nine.

Ahead of his US Open defence next week, McIlroy hit only six out of 14 fairways but was cheered by a closing birdie as he holed a 10 footer.

"It was a very testing day with the conditions and I definitely didn't feel as comfortable as yesterday," said McIlroy, who has missed the cut in his last three tournaments.

"But it was a good experience trying to put what I've been working on in my swing into competitive pressure.

"For the most part it held up pretty well but there were a few loose shots out there.

"I'm only one off the lead and in a good position going into tomorrow."

Padraig Harrington is three shots off the pace after firing a battling 71 on Saturday.