Walker Cup players Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Lloyd Saltman from Scotland and Llewellyn Matthews from Wales endured mixed fortunes at the first round of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Of the three players who narrowly lost out in the Walker Cup to the US last weekend, taking part at the Oxfordshire Golf Club in England, McIlroy posted the best score, a two-under-par 70 to trail early leaders Matthew Morris of England and Welshman Alex Smith by five strokes.

Saltman posted a level par 72 to remain in the hunt, but Matthews has it all to do after an opening five over par 77.