Richard McEvoy has made a superb start to his bid for the European International Amateur championship at the Styrian GC in Murhof, Austria.

Thorpe Hall golfer McEvoy, part of a 12-strong England team that also includes young prodigy Zane Scotland and stalwart Gary Wolstenholme, scored a tremendous two-under-par in the first of four scheduled rounds yesterday.

After starting with two safe pars, the 21-year-old bogeyed the third but moved to one under at the turn with birdies at the ninth and 10th holes.

A bogey on the 12th was a setback, but a run of three birdies in four holes from the 14th saw him move to a challenging position for today's second round at three under.

Although a bogey on the final par four ended his round on a sour note, the score left him tied for 20th in a field of 144 golfers from around Europe.

The runaway leader was Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who carded an impressive nine-under on the course at Murhof, built on the site of an old pig farm.

McEvoy's selection for this competition is the latest in a long line of appearances on the international stage.

He made an unbeaten full England debut against France in May and played in the England team that won the European Youth team championships in Scotland in June.

Yet he is still as unassuming as ever and was caddying for a friend at the Thorpe Hall club championships on the morning of the day he flew out with the squad to Austria.

Thorpe Hall spokesman David Leslie said: "It was typical of Richard and goes to show what a nice lad he is because he was helping a friend out on his own big day.

"It's good that he's earned this selection because I think he was a little disappointed to go out in the second round of the English Amateur championships."

Ian's an ace golfer

Number one - Ian Talbot, 11, scored his second career hole in one at Thorpe Hall Golf Club

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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